Basil: Yum! It’s gorgeous, succulent, and oh-so-aromatic! Please keep in mind that we are growing three different varieties this year (a large, curly variety called Genovese; a narrow-leaved variety called Lemon Basil; and a regular, Italian Large-Leaf basil). Adds depth to many dishes. Use soon. Store in plastic bag in fridge. Keep dry and remove blackened leaves. Tomatoes: Everyone will receive at least one Lemon Boy from our first crop of the year! These are from our transitional fields, so they are not certified organic. Please contact us with questions about transitional produce & organic certification; we’re happy to explain how we keep the items separate. We finally entered our third year of transition to organic on our leased piece of land — we’ll be able to have the parcel certified Nov. 2010! The rest of the tomatoes will be from Terra Firma Farm near Winters, CA. CCOF certified organic. Store on counter (never in fridge!). Tomatoes are famously fragile, so please make sure you eat them soon!
Sweet Corn: From Terra Firma Farm near Winters, Ca. CCOF certified organic. Enjoy these great summer treats! The sugars in the kernels break down after harvest, so enjoy soon for maximum sweetness. Store in fridge.
Strawberries: So sweet & tasty! Store in fridge in green basket in paper bag or in closed plastic container with a damp paper towel. Wash only when ready to use. Eat soon. Please return green baskets to your delivery site in an orderly fashion!
Peaches OR Nectarines: We are growing both yellow and white peaches, and both yellow and white nectarines. Some of you will receive peaches, and the others will receive nectarines. You may receive one or the other of these delicious varieities. We believe in picking fruit in its prime, but we are picking the white peaches slightly under-ripe because some people received fruit last week that was a little too ripe. To ripen, store in a paper bag on the counter for a couple of days. Store ripe fruit in fridge and wash before eating.
Italian Flat-Leaf Parsley: A beautifully clean, crisp flavor that adds depth to many a dish! Store in plastic bag in fridge & use rather quickly!
Lettuce: From our transitional fields (see tomatoes above). Great for salads & sandwiches or sautés. Store in plastic bag in fridge. Remove yellow leaves & wash before use.
Chard: From our transitional fields (see tomatoes above). Remove leaves from stems (it’s easy: hold the leaf by the stem, slide a sharp knife where leaf meets stem & slide to the tip. Repeat on other side). Chop. Lightly steam or sauté in olive oil/butter until bright green. Store in the fridge & wash well before use. Use the chard stems, too. Chop & sauté!
Summer Squash: Store in fridge in plastic bag. Can damage easily but adds a special something to any sauté, soup, or bread.
Eggplant: So tender & yummy! The best way to draw out bitterness is to cube it & cover with a LOT of salt (in a bowl). Let sit for 20+ minutes. Wash off salt & sauté or otherwise cook. Store in fridge crisper for best results.
Onions: From our transitional fields (see tomatoes above). These onions are bunched & ready to eat! Peel outer leaves & wash. Great raw or cooked. Store in fridge.