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THIS WEEK’S FRUIT:
Navel Oranges
Twin Girls Farm, Yettem, CA
California Navel Oranges are considered to be the best Navels for eating out of hand. They have a thick skin that is easy to peel, are seedless and have a meaty and sweet flesh that makes them a perfect snack. To read more about the fine folks at Twin Girls Farm please see a previous blog post at http://bit.ly/2fnFf2m.
Hayward Kiwis
Chiechi Farm, Live Oak, CA
Originally known as the Chinese gooseberry due to its Chinese origins. Hawyward Wright, a New Zealand nurseryman propagated his plants by grafting, and they eventually became the preferred cultivar of growers due to their sweet flavor and thin skin. To read more about Richard and Cindy Chiechi please see a previous blog post at http://bit.ly/2gZUvT5.
Pomegranates
Hamilton Growers, Reedly, CA
Native to the regions of Persia and the Western Himalayan range, pomegranates have been cultivated for several millennia. When sliced open a beautiful array of jewel-like seeds are displayed. The aril is the colorful casing that surrounds the edible seeds and has a sweet tart flavor. Enjoy the arils alone or use them in salads, desserts, or beverages.
Pink Lady Apples
Cuyama Farm, New Cuyama, CA
Pink Lady’s are a cross between the Golden Delicious and Lady Williams. They are a crisp and juicy apple with a tart finish. Pink skins and a creamy white colored flesh that resists browning make this an excellent apple for salads and slicing.
Clementine Mandarins
Homegrown Organic Farm, Porterville, CA
Clementines are very sweet, juicy, easy to peel, and usually seedless, making them very popular with children and adults alike. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Fuji Apples
Cuyama Farm, New Cuyama, CA
Fujis are a cross between Red Delicious and Ralls Janet, an heirloom apple dating back to Thomas Jefferson. They are one of the sweetest variety apples around making them a household favorite.
…all varieties are subject to change…
A NOTE FROM FARMER AL:
Dear CSA Members:
Early this week, about Mid-Day, I look to the East and behold a sight that lifts my spirits (which, if I’m honest, doesn’t really need “lifting”): shimmering in the afternoon sun are the snow covered mountains! The whole Sierra Nevada Range as far North and as far South as I can see from the Farm, which is about 200 miles away, is solid WHITE!
This snow is good for us and what we grow for two reasons.
1) Snow pack means water storage for next summer’s irrigation needs.
2) Snow means we’ve recently gotten some cold weather, which gives our trees the winter chilling (temps at or below 45 degrees Fahrenheit) required for good bud-break (blossoms) next Spring.
In the past three years we’ve not had enough of these two critical gifts of Nature. Lack of chilling has meant very few cherries for us three years standing. And, of course, the California drought has cost everyone (especially farmers) dearly.
So, this week’s weather is promising to finally remove those two dark clouds shadowing over our Farm.
Just In: Snow Water Equivalent Report
California is now at 67% of normal snow pack for this date.
Chilling Hours Report
Here on the Farm, as of 12/29/16: 365 hours
As of 12/29/15… 477 hours
We will need a lot more of the same weather we’ve been having. Hopefully all of January and well into February!
As we close this year, 2016 and move into a new one, we here at Frog Hollow Farm would like to say thank you for being a part of what we do by being members of our CSA. Each and every one of you help to create a better place for us, and your families, by participating consciously in eating heathier, sweeter fruits grown here. This last year has been filled with an interesting mix of loss (so many famous icons have passed on) and fear of the unknown for many of you (and some of us here). Our wish is that through your communities, one of which is this CSA, you find solace and comfort. Know you can count on us to bring you the delicious, sustainably produced, fruits of our labors.
Our New Years wish for each of you is peace, happiness, and some good chilling hours to go along with it all!
We’ll keep you informed,
Farmer Al
