what’s in the box this week?
(Listed from shortest shelf life to longest shelf life)
Strawberries: The first of the season, these will be in your box relentlessly now. Eat right away as we pick them ripe and they will not last long. The store bought stuff has been picked way under ripe so that it can survive the journey to the distribution depot then to the store and wait in back stock until shelf space is available. Spinach or Mixed bunch Greens: Use what you need and wash thoroughly. Yes it is dirty but is keeps much better that way. Store in a plastic bag in the fridge. Lemons: This versatile fruit adds a great touch to winter greens and salads. Store in the fridge as these have not been waxed like so many fruits in the store. The brushing and cleaning removes the protective bloom. Use within a week. From our long time friend Nacho at Twin Girls Farm in Fresno who also packs for purity hence the labels on the fruit. Sugar Snap Peas: Peas do not like the wind, I am not sure how many we are going to be able to pick for your box today. Eaten fresh out of the box with some salt or mayo is the best. Baby Lettuce: Theses small baby lettuce are cut and bagged in the field. We thin the crop in the field to allow room for the remaining lettuce to mature to a larger size. Store in the fridge. Red Beets: We have had a hard time germinating beets for many years. That seems to be getting easier now. Store in a plastic bag in the fridge. Tokyo Turnips: These grow very easily on the farm. Wile young they are delicious eaten raw. I have said many times that the greens have more vitamin C than any other green. Store in a plastic bag in the fridge. Scallions: A yellow onion variety this bunch has three or four onions in it. Please use the greens in soups or stir fry. Store in the fridge. Spring Cabbage or Cauliflower: These were planted last November just before the rains. They both just sat there over the winter then burst into life when the warmer weather arrived. Store in the crisper. Green Garlic: It is such a delight to have this back in our harvest shares. My favorite way to enjoy is to stir fry the chopped garlic in a skillet with some olive oil. Then stir in eggs for a delicious green garlic scrambled eggs. Store in the crisper. Carrots: These come from Los Pablos at Terra Firma Farm in Winters. We grow amazing tasting carrots here on our farm but the germination is sporadic because our soil is a little too heavy. I covert the field next to us as it has a nice sandy area. Forgive me. Store in the crisper Navel Oranges: Nacho at Twin Girls Farm has wonderful red headed twin girls, obviously with our twin boys we had a lot to talk about at the farmers market. Nacho specializes in fruit and has taken over many orchards from retiring farmers or those people with a farm and no experience of fruit tree care. They are all certified organic. It sounds like he spends most of his day in a truck looking at all the trees. Not quite my idea of fun, the driving that is. Nacho sells most of his fruit through Purity so that is why you see the labels on the fruit. Have a great week/end ...Nigel