Fruit and News of the Week : June 1st

THIS WEEK’S FRUIT

Robada Apricots

Frog Hollow Farm, Brentwood, CA

Our stone fruit season has fully arrived when the Robadas are ready to pick. A large and robust apricot, the Robada has a particularly vibrant blush that makes the fruit seem to glow on the branch, almost like tiny Japanese lanterns lit from within.

Cot -n- Candy Apricots

Frog Hollow Farm, Brentwood, CA

A white fleshed aprium developed by renownded plant breeder Floyd Zaiger. Characteristic of white fleshed stone fruit, these apriums have a more subtle sweetness than orange varieties, but with notes of honeydew, they are sure to please. These delicate fruits bruise easily, so handle with care.

Crimson Lady Peaches

Frog Hollow Farm, Brentwood, CA

The Crimson Lady is one of the first varieties off the tree. It has a firm texture that is more springy than meltingly juicy and where some palates may find it less desirable for eating out of hand, when dried it is uniquely chewy and delicious.

June Glo Nectarines

Frog Hollow Farm, Brentwood, CA

An early season ( June 1st!), yellow fleshed nectarine that is semi-freestone and full of flavor. Another great fruit by Flyod Zaiger.

A NOTE FROM MARLENE

IMG_6456

Hello CSA Members,

When I am visiting the San Francisco Ferry Building farmers market on Saturdays, I’ve been needing to bundle up. The fog, wind, and clouds are in stark contrast to the weather on the farm. Out in Brentwood, summer is here. We nearly reached 90 last week! The nights still get cool in the 50s, which brings some respite.

Weather plays a large part in a plant’s life cycle, especially with our tomatoes. Tomatoes, like me, don’t love the cold. They need a minimum of 60 degrees to set fruit. The hot days have balanced out our cooler nights, and we are already seeing little green tomatoes on our plants. This has the kitchen in a tizzy to get ready for the bounty they are about to face.

Chef Becky and Anna are planning to create some gourmet ketchups. Like most Americans, I love ketchup, but had all but given it up since I couldn’t find a high quality one. (It is very difficult to find one using organic ingredients and without high fructose corn syrup.) Ketchup is a great condiment since it can be used in so many ways: for dipping, on sandwiches, with eggs, and on pizza, but it also allows for great versatility in its recipe. Chef Becky and Anna are planning on using our heirloom and saucing tomatoes to make delicious tomato ketchup bases and then add some flare to them. They will definitely be making some with our delicious fruit, for that sweetness and tang. Using jalapeños and peppers we are also grow- ing on the farm, there will be spicy options too. Interesting spices and herbs will also make for unique savory options.

Making sauces is a different ballgame from making our famous conserves, and Chef Becky and Anna have been doing their homework. They are working on get- ting their cannery license and looking into new equipment.

As time and creativeness allows, they are dreaming of pasta sauces, conserves, and hot sauces. And of course the tomatoes will be used fresh in our cafe in the Ferry Building in sandwiches, soups, and salads. Be sure to stop by this summer!

 

Posted in Blog, Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • Recipe: Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

    Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
    via Martha Stewart

     
    Ingredients:
    6 bone-in pork chops (loin or shoulder), cut 3/4 inch thick
    Coarse salt and fres…

  • Farm Focus: The Buzz with Bees

    Spring is synonymous with blooming flowers and where there are blooming flowers there are bees! And while most people think  of European honey bees, we  w…

  • Fruit & News of the Week: April 9, 2018

    This Week’s Fruit:
    Minneloa Tangelos
    Twin Girls Farm, Dinuba, CA
    The Tangelo is a cross between a mandarin and grapefruit. Its skin is easy to peel and its f…

  • Recipe: DIY Orange Soda

    Via Food52

    Ingredients:

    4 oranges
    1 lime
    1 cup granulated sugar
    Lemon lime seltzer water

    Method:

    Zest the oranges and the lime and add all o…

  • Farm Focus: Jim Churchill of Churchill-Brenneis Orchard

    Jim of Churchill-Brenneis Orchard, never imagined himself becoming a farmer, though he grew up walking through friends orchards on weekend trips from LA. His pa…