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I’m Dreaming of a White Solstice…

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By Gretchen Bay As the summer solstice draws nigh, visions of beautiful white orbs are starting to dance in the minds of fruit lovers everywhere. Are these spheres celestial bodies, aligning for the dawn of a new season? No! They’re delicious white peaches and nectarines that have started appearing in The FruitGuys’ fruit crates! These [...]

Preparation Tips

Simply wash and eat out of hand, slice, or chop for use in salads, smoothies, and more. Enjoy!

Storage Tips

Peaches (white and yellow) continue to ripen after picking. Store at room temperature out of direct sunlight until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.
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Garlic Scapes

garlic scapes

In spring, the garlic plant’s head looks like a fountain pen tip leading the long stem in twirls and loops like it’s scribbling or chasing a bee. Farmers trim the stems called scapes for a blissfully garlicky treat -  another edible part of this important plant.

Preparation Tips

Use garlic scapes as you might asparagus: cook lightly. Used as a festive ingredient for pizza or a frittata, their mild garlicky-ness will be revealed. Or try them in a pesto.

Storage Tips

Garlic scapes store well, although they taste best when fresh. Keep in a paper bag in the fridge for a few weeks, or chop and freeze for later use.
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Carolina Gold Tomato

A unique tomato, this golden orb can be large. Flavorful and fruity, this wonderful tomato is low in a acid, which can be a great benefit to those who have to avoid regular red tomatoes.

Preparation Tips

Slice tomatoes with a serrated knife. Cut in half, giving the hemisphere a gentle squeeze to release seeds and juice and then slice or chop.

Storage Tips

Tomatoes are best at room temperature as the chill damages their delicate membranes. Keep away from heat (like the stove) and place in a bowl to add beauty to your counter.
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What’s in Season June 2013

apricot tree

Here’s a preview of what regional farms will be harvesting in June, from The FruitGuys produce buyers. To see what’s being delivered this week, visit fruitguys.com/mix and choose your region. Remember to always wash your hands and wash your fruit before eating, even if it’s organic. EAST Stone fruit, including cherries, pluots, plums, peaches, and [...]

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WWW: Warm Weather Workouts

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How to Exercise Safely as Temperatures Rise By Miriam Wolf As spring gives way to summer and temperatures rise across the country, it’s natural to want to take our exercise routines outside. A bike ride in the sunshine, an afternoon hike, or a crisp morning run are the kinds of pleasures that define the season. [...]

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In Our Spring

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by Jeff Main of Good Humus Farm, Courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop With the passing of the equinox a few weeks ago, and all the warmth and wetness of the last week or so, everything on the farm has finally decided that it will go with: It’s Spring! And with that decision by all [...]

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Canary Melon

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Put some Harry Belafonte singing Yellow Bird on the hi-fi and cut open a sweet Canary Melon for a double tropical treat. Yellow rind and pale green flesh.

Preparation Tips

Wash melon, cut in half - scoop out seeds and cut into slices or scoop out with melon baller utensil.

Storage Tips

Leave on the counter to ripen. Store cut melon in the fridge for two days.
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Candycot

Candycots come from the Britton & Konynenburt Family Farms. “By breeding with seeds from the very best apricots in the world, we have created a new class of apricots. Called CandyCots, these apricots taste the way apricots are meant to taste. What unites these apricots under the name CandyCot is their superb taste, complex flavors, [...]

Storage Tips

Apricots continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate fruit as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.
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Black Mission Fig

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Tear-dropped shape contains, “A taste of honey. Tasting much sweeter than wine. I dream of your first kiss and then…” This fruit of desire goes way way back to the Old Testament and the very beginnings of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Preparation Tips

Figs can be enjoyed sliced and eaten as a wedge, or whole including the skin and leaving the stem.

Storage Tips

Figs are picked ripe and should be stored in the refrigerator until ready to eat. You can enjoy them cold or at room temperature.
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Burgundy Plum

Burgundy plums are sweet, with dark red skin & red flesh and are of Japanese descent. This semi-freestone is red on red like wine.

Storage Tips

Plums continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate plums as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.
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Burbank Plum

The tasty & sweet Burbank plum was created by the master plant breeder Luther Burbank over 100 years ago. It is semi-freestone, with reddish purple skin &  yellow flesh inside.

Storage Tips

Plums continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate plums as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.
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Brittany Gold Apricot

brittany-gold-apricot-feat

An improved apricot from the Zaiger fruit experts. Firm, yellow and freestone – which is a good trait to have when you want to eat them by the handful…

Storage Tips

Apricots continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate fruit as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.
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Blue Ray Blueberries

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Blue Ray Blueberries are big, juicy early blueberries. Blueberries are power packed with nutrients. Add some sweet notes to your yogurt or granola by tossing in a few of these real-deal berries.

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Black Velvet Apricot

Velvet is a rhetorical descriptive for apricots. The Black Velvets are round and purple, a hybrid of plum and apricot. Inside is gold, a bit plummy and very yummy.

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Blackberry

blackberries_feat

Blackberry thumb is what some call the malady of too much texting. [:-(] At the Emerging Technology Conference in San Diego the theme was “The Attention Economy,” Linda Stone spoke of a “continuous partial attention” trend. Constantly checking devices for messages, losing focus. [hu me?]. FruitGuys urges you to work better at work. Put down [...]

Preparation Tips

Berries absorb water, so give a very quick spray rinse right before eating and dry gently on toweling (wet berries in the fridge will mold). Sweet and good for you, berries are a fruit made in heaven.

Storage Tips

Transfer unwashed berries to a paper towel–lined container, removing any spoiled or smashed berries. Store in the coldest section of the fridge.
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Blue Velvet Apricot

apricot-blue-velvet-feat

Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams” haunts David Lynch’s neo-noir movie more than the title song, Blue Velvet. The Blue Velvet is actually an aprium, which is a plum and apricot hybrid. One bite of this golden-fleshed apricot will remove memories of the creepy 1986 cult classic.

Storage Tips

Blue Velvets will continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate fruit as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.
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Bing Cherries

Bing Cherries

Yeah! Cherries! A fruit so packed with taste and lore, in poems, paintings and punk rock songs- how we extol this fine little fruit. For many the first cherries are a sign of spring and renewal, even recalling childhood games. Pit spitting (hey – not in the office) and wearing the doubles as earrings. Robert [...]

Preparation Tips

Pit cherries the old-fashioned way (with your mouth, being careful not to swallow the pit); use a handheld pitter; or carefully slice and de-pit with the tip of a paring knife. Cherry pit–spitting manners may vary from family to family—but a pair of cherries over the ears is in fashion everywhere.

Storage Tips

Unlike other stone fruit, cherries are picked ripe. They may be left on the counter for a couple of days out of direct sunlight or refrigerated in a plastic bag for several days. Do not wash until ready to eat, as excess moisture during storage can cause them to meet an untimely demise. When ready to use, rinse and let warm to room temperature for best flavor. (Although they’re also great pitted and frozen for a refreshing treat in the hot summer months!)
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Beurre Hardy Pear

In pear names if Beurre (French for butter) precedes the pear name — you are in for a treat, it’s a good indication of tenderness. The exterior of the Beurre Hardy is termed “rust”, but gold awaits you at the fruit’s interior of this old fashioned variety.

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Angel White Apricot

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The Angel White Apricot has a very pale yellow skin color with a slightly speckled and nearly peach like blush at the top. The fruit inside is juicy and refreshing. It has the juiciness and smooth texture of a perfectly ripened peach with an indelible lightness of an apricot.

Storage Tips

Store unripe apricots in a paper bag at room temperature. Once ripe apricots will keep for two days in the refrigerator.
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Anaheim Chili Pepper

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We usually equate Anaheim with Disney ,and if you bite into an Anaheim chili you just might look like Goofy with steam pouring out of his ears. They range from 1000-2500 on the Scoville scale. Anaheim peppers are also called chile seco del norte since original grower Emilio Ortega brought seeds from New Mexico to [...]

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Albion Strawberry

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Albion strawberries are the variety that put strawberries front and center in current market and availability. This vigorous and big berry has made it possible to have strawberries more often throughout the year and no longer just the ultra-rare treat for princesses and little red riding hoods foraging in the forest.

Recipe Links

Strawberry Recipes

Storage Tips

Berries are picked ripe and should be enjoyed as soon as possible. For overnight storage, they should be refrigerated. But don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat (or freeze) them.
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Angelcot

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The Angelcot is a light cream-colored apricot with a bit of blush and a heavenly flavor. The Angelcot is grown exclusively by Marty Maggiore and his family in Brentwood (Contra Costa County), CA.

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Baby Carrots

Carrot Heap without Leafs

Not just little bunnies love baby carrots. Ideal for dipping or snacking on raw. Carrot seeds are super tiny and so are broadcast over the seedbed. Many carrots will grow in a crowd and need to be thinned to make room. That’s how we get little ones.

Preparation Tips

Wash thoroughly and gently scrub—keep the peel for maximum nutrient benefits. Delicious raw on their own; sliced or grated and added to salads and slaws; or roasted, steamed, stir-fried, grilled, boiled, baked, or braised.

Storage Tips

Tightly seal unwashed carrots in a plastic bag and refrigerate for up to a few weeks.
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Iced Lemongrass Tea

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Wash 6–8 lemongrass stalks well and discard green upper portions. Gently smash stalks on a cutting board with a jar or the flat side of a knife (this will help release their flavor). Add stalks to a medium saucepan with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil; remove from heat and let steep [...]

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Tapas-Style Padron Peppers

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Recipe by Non-Reactive Pan, clarosouthwick.com/blog INGREDIENTS 10–12 Padron peppers 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 2 tablespoons olive oil PREPARATION Heat a skillet over high heat, add the salt and peppers. Cook on high for 2 minutes, or until the peppers start to blister on the cooked side. Turn peppers over and cook for two more minutes, [...]

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Cucumber Raita

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Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup cucumber, seeded (see Cook’s note) 1/2 cup plain yogurt, full or low-fat 2 teaspoons finely chopped scallions or red onion 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint, cilantro, or dill (optional) PREPARATION After removing seeds from cucumber, cut [...]

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Mild Guacamole

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Recipe by Non-Reactive Pan, clarosouthwick.com/blog INGREDIENTS 1 avocado, sliced into cubes and removed from the skin 1/4 cup onion (white, yellow, red, or green), finely chopped 1 small tomato, diced (optional) 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1–2 teaspoons olive oil 1–2 teaspoons fresh lime or lemon juice (optional) PREPARATION Mash avocado in a bowl [...]

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Roasted Plums or Pluots with Herbs

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Adapted from joythebaker.com INGREDIENTS 2–3 ripe plums or pluots, cut in half and pitted 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, savory, or rosemary leaves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Olive oil to drizzle Salt Greek yogurt, granola (optional) PREPARATION Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400°F. In a small [...]

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Dragon Bean Succotash

dragon tongue beans

Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS 1 cup corn kernels, cut from the cob 1 cup dragon beans or other beans with edible pods (such as green or yellow beans), ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces— may also use 1/2 to 3/4 cups shelled beans, such as lima beans or fresh cranberry beans 1/4–1/2 [...]

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Heirloom Tomato-Cucumber Salad

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Recipe by The FruitGuys INGREDIENTS 1 cup heirloom tomatoes, chopped in bite-size pieces 1 cup cucumber, chopped in bite-size pieces (cuke peel is optional) 1/2 cup sweet bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional) PREPARATION Toss salad ingredients together and drizzle lightly [...]

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Easy Tomatillo Salsa

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Recipe by The FruitGuys INGREDIENTS 2–3 tomatillos, de-husked, washed, and diced 1 medium tomato, de-seeded and diced (about 1/2–3/4 cup) 1–2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon lime juice Salt and pepper to taste 1–2 tablespoons banana pepper (or other mild chili pepper), finely chopped (optional) 1 teaspoon jalapeño pepper (or [...]

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Indian Spiced Okra

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Recipe by Non-Reactive Pan, clarosouthwick.com/blog INGREDIENTS 1 to 1 1/2 cups okra, stems and any tough parts removed, and cut into rounds 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon chili powder or paprika 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon olive oil Salt to taste PREPARATION On a slightly warmed [...]

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Avocado-Feta Salsa

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Adapted from keyingredient.com INGREDIENTS 1 avocado, pit and peel removed, chopped 1/2 cup tomatoes (plum or cherry), chopped 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar 4 ounces feta cheese, coarsely crumbled Pita bread or tortilla [...]

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Ratatouille’s Ratatouille

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Adapted from SmittenKitchen.com, courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop INGREDIENTS 1/2 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced 1 cup tomato puree 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), divided 1 small eggplant 2 medium-sized summer squash, sliced 1 sweet pepper Few sprigs fresh thyme (if available) Salt and pepper Few tablespoons soft [...]

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Herbed Potato Salad

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Recipe by The FruitGuys INGREDIENTS 1 1/2–2 cups potatoes, cut in bite-sized chunks (peels are optional) 1/4 cup chopped fresh herb leaves (dill, basil, mint, parsley, etc.) 2 tablespoons red onion or shallot, minced 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard Salt and black pepper to [...]

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Tomatoes from the Heart

tomatoes

Courtesy of Coco of Coco Ranch, by Heidi Lewis “Coco’s Little Sweet Pear” is a family-heirloom tomato grown at Coco Ranch in Solano County, California. This unique tomato was bred by Greg House for his own family’s use and is now being shared. He developed this variety especially for the sunny Solano County climate and his organic growing methods. [...]

Preparation Tips

Tomatoes are best sliced with a serrated (or super-sharp) knife. To de-seed, slice through the meridian and gently squeeze out juice and seeds. To peel, make a few superficial slices in the skin, toss in boiling water for 30 seconds, drain, cool, and peel.

Storage Tips

Tomatoes are best ripened at room temperature and held in the fridge once desired ripeness as been attained. Then they keep in the fridge for 2–3 days.
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Zucchini (Summer Squash) Tart

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Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS 2 cups zucchini (or other summer squash), sliced about 1/4-inch thick 1/2–3/4 cup mushrooms, chopped (optional) 1 sheet puff pastry 1/2 cup soft cheese (goat cheese, cream cheese, soft herb cheese, etc.) 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced (or more to taste) 1 tablespoon finely chopped [...]

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Babaganouj

baba_ganoush

Recipe courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop INGREDIENTS 1 eggplant, whole 1/4 cup tahini 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 3 Tbsp cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) Juice 1/2 lemon OR 2 tablespoons lemon juice salt to taste PREPARATION Bake eggplant rubbed with EVOO at 350 F on a baking sheet until soft and [...]

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Easy Peach Ice Cream (no machine required!)

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Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS 2 cups peaches, peeled and finely chopped 2 cups heavy cream (or whole milk if you want lower fat ice cream, but it won’t be as rich) 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk (nonfat is fine) 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract PREPARATION Beat the cream, condensed milk, and vanilla [...]

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Grilled or Roasted Corn

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Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS 2 ears of corn, husks and silk removed 3–4 tablespoons soft butter, olive oil, mayonnaise, or Vegenaise 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs of choice 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon or lime peel (optional) 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice (optional) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons grated or [...]

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Summer Salads!

salad_fixins

Recipes by Non-Reactive Pan, clarosouthwick.com/blog Summer means delicious salad fixin’s. Use the dressing recipes below to create countless salad variations. Along with a wide variety of salad greens and fresh spinach as a base for your creations, you can also try a Massaged Kale Salad or Celery Top Salad. Mix in everything from thinly sliced [...]

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Corn & Pepper Pudding

Freshly cut kernels of corn from a corn cob

Recipe by FarmShares member Martha S.,  courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups corn cut from the cob (3 ears or so) 3 gypsy peppers, seeded and diced 2 large jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced (optional) 2 large yellow onions, chopped 3 or 4 large cloves garlic, minced 2  cups sharp cheddar [...]

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Fresh Guacamole

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Adapted from cooks.com INGREDIENTS 2 ripe avocados, halved, pits removed 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced (optional) 1/4–1/2 cup fresh tomato, diced (optional) 1–2 teaspoons fresh jalapeño or other hot pepper, minced, seeds removed (see Cook’s note) 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (more if you love cilantro) 1 [...]

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I Want Candy…Cots!

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By Gretchen Bay Described as “knock-your-socks-off-good!” by FruitGuys buyer Misi Katoa, CandyCots are a uniquely sweet group of apricot varieties grown exclusively by a family-owned, fourth-generation farming collective based in Modesto, CA. The company is helmed by Chris Britton and Paul Konynenburg—the two still work alongside their fathers, who have been partners since the 1960s! [...]

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Plum Crazy for Plums!

SONY DSC

By Gretchen Bay It’s officially summer. And summer means (among other delicious things)—plums! Unlike their stone-fruit cousins peaches and nectarines (which come with white or yellow flesh and skin typically in the yellow-red spectrum), plums come in a wide variety of colors, mainly red, purple, yellow, black, and green. Their flavors range from candy-sweet to [...]

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Fennel Potato Salad

fennel_sliced_boardfeat

Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS 2 cups potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup fennel bulb, sliced across about 1/4-inch thick 1/4 cup onion (red, yellow, or white), finely diced 1 clove garlic, finely minced (optional) 1/4 cup olive oil 2–3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon [...]

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Steamed Corn On The Cob

corn_cob_steamed_feat

Courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop INGREDIENTS Ears of fresh, sweet corn Large pot Water Salt to taste PREPARATION Shuck the sweet corn and discard the husks. Trim any insect-chewed ends from the corn cobs. Put 2 inches of water in the bottom of the pot, add salt to the water and cover with a [...]

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Berries of Summer

raspberries blackberries

Babies on Board By Heidi Lewis Oh de bitty babies, so cherubic in their little baskets. Heavenly creatures, berries were flowers before they incarnated into sweet gems that dance on our tongues. Berries are the babies of summer, triggering synapses and opening pathways to good memories. They’re the delicate fruit that are most often anthropomorphized [...]

Preparation Tips

Berries absorb water, so give a very quick spray rinse right before eating and dry gently on toweling (wet berries in the fridge will mold). Sweet and good for you, berries are a fruit made in heaven.

Storage Tips

Transfer unwashed berries to a paper towel–lined container, removing any spoiled or smashed berries. Store in the coldest section of the fridge.
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Easy Baked or Fried Green Tomatoes!

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Slice green tomatoes in 1/4 to 1/2-inch slices, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Coat both sides well in cornmeal. • Baked: Preheat oven to 375°F; place tomatoes on a nonstick or lightly greased cookie sheet; bake until golden-brown and crispy, about 25–35 minutes. • Fried: Heat vegetable oil to medium in a skillet, [...]

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Asian Corn Salad

Corn kernels on the wooden board

Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS Corn cut from 2 ears (see Cook’s note) 1/2–3/4 cup bok choy, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup grated carrot 2 tablespoons sweet onion, minced 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon sugar or agave nectar 1 teaspoon sesame [...]

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Not Your Momma’s Coleslaw

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Courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop INGREDIENTS 1 small head green cabbage or other cabbage 4 large carrots, shredded 1 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves 3/4 cup mayonnaise, low-fat is fine, as is swapping half with yogurt 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons vinegar 1 tablespoon celery seed (optional) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly [...]

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Bada Bing, Bada Boom

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By Heidi Lewis You know what sweet summer cherries like? They like winter. That’s when they catch up on a little shut-eye and wake up refreshed. Many stone fruits and pomes need the chill hours to produce a good season of leaf, buds, and fruit. But man, when they’re ready—bada boom! Cherry season is here. [...]

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Hearts of Stone

stone_fruits

By Gretchen Bay “The Prunus family is so wantonly profligate, dallying with any sibling, cousin, and even offspring that chances by, it is surprising they aren’t illegal in some states.” —Jack Straub, 75 Remarkable Fruits For Your Garden Yes, the Prunus, or stone fruit family, which includes cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines, has quite [...]

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Spring Swooning for Summer Fruit

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By Heidi Lewis Here they come, rolling into town— They get the hungriest looks from, everyone around— [drum fill…] Hey, hey, they’re the summer fruits! And they’re super duper cute! It may not quite be summer—but that point is moot! When summer fruits start to arrive in May, there’s a bit of a giddy vibe [...]

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Strawberry Alarm Clock

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Timeline of our favorite berry By Heidi Lewis Today’s strawberry, Fragaria ananassa, with its large, practically perfect berries is the culmination of selective breeding going back centuries to when strawberries were tiny, rare, and found only at the peak of summer. Strawberries are mentioned in works by Virgil and Ovid, yet they made no appearance [...]

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Stone Fruit

white peach

Everything you always wanted to know about stone fruit (but were afraid to ask) Stone fruit season is coming. Here’s a primer on some of our favorites. Stone fruit that is woven into the pit is called “cling.” Fruit that has less fiber woven into the pit is called “semi-cling.” And fruit that is free [...]

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Fifth-Generation Family Farm: Friend’s Ranch

Oliver_checks_pixies_feat

Friend’s Ranch in Ojai, CA, is a regular supplier of Pixie tangerines for The FruitGuys. The Friend family and its descendants (now into its fifth generation of family farming) have been growing fruit in Ojai since the 1880s and tangerines since the 1920s—one of the first California farms to do so. The family planted its [...]

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Red Beaut Plum

Sweet plum with half of plum

Beauty, but friends call it “Beaut” for short, is an early smooth red plum with yellow flesh. Good plum to know on a first name basis.

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Reflecting on Summer…

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By Jeff Main of Good Humus Produce, courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop It seems like a long time since I’ve had a chance to touch bases with all of you, as a matter of fact, it has been a long time. So much has changed on the farm and so much has stayed the [...]

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Foods that Cool

fruit-salad-feat

Eat to Fight the Heat By Nicole Laverty, Registered Dietician Courtesy of mannapa.org Record temperatures and humidity across the country has made getting cool the name of the game.  While there is always air conditioning, the pool, or the good old-fashioned fan, there are other options to stay comfortable.  What you eat and drink can [...]

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End of Summer Salsa

Farmers Market

Courtesy of Delilah’s Farm INGREDIENTS 1/2  cup lemon cucumber, in 1/2 inch dice 1/2 cup sweet pepper, in 1/2 inch dice (use green, yellow or combination) 3/4 cup pear tomatoes, cut in half 1/4 cup firm pluot, in 1/2 inch dice 1/2 cup apple, in 1/2 inch dice 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley 1 [...]

Ingredients for this recipe were included in The FruitGuys TakeHome box. Order yours today! www.fruitguys.com

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O’Modern O’Henry!

ohenry peach

By Chris Mittelstaedt When O’Henry peaches start to appear, I think of O. Henry—the turn-of-the-century American short story writer who wrote The Gift of the Magi, a story about a young married man who sells his watch to buy his newlywed wife a beautiful set of combs for her long hair. Of course at the same time, without [...]

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Faux Parfait

strawberry-parfait-feat

Recipe by Tanya Milosevich INGREDIENTS 2 white nectarines 1 basket strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or a combination 1 half pint whipping cream 4 tablespoons sugar 1 store bought angel food cake, or other good white cake PREPARATION Slice the nectarines into a bowl and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes. Repeat this [...]

Ingredients for this recipe were included in The FruitGuys TakeHome box. Order yours today! www.fruitguys.com

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Plu…ots

Pluot

By Chris Mittelstaedt Maybe you think I write too much about my kids. I kind of agree, but man, do they give me good material. Last week, for example, when I told them we would be getting pluots for this week’s cases, they ran with it. “Plupups?” my daughter said. “No,” I said, “pluots.” “Dad’s getting plu-pots [...]

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Grilled Peaches with Amaretti Cookies

peaches

Recipe courtesy of Tanya Milosevich INGREDIENTS 2 – 4 peaches, cut in half, stone removed 3 to 4 Amaretti or almond cookies, crumbled 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped PREPARATION Grill the peaches on both sides until golden-brown and slightly soft, 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and let cool slightly. Top with whipped [...]

Ingredients for this recipe were included in The FruitGuys TakeHome box. Order yours today! www.fruitguys.com

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The Pits

children digging

By Chris Mittelstaedt It’s summer and I’m 12. We’ve been riding around the block for the last month on our banana-seat bikes. We are a motorcycle gang, with playing cards duct-taped to the back struts of our bike frames, clicking against the spokes menacingly, like souped-up game show prize-wheels letting anyone watering their yard know [...]

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Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Toms

cherry-tomatoes-feat

By Heidi Lewis Get your scorecards ready! Sharpen your pencils, polish your forks, and pull up a chair—the tomato season is upon us, as evidenced by the basket of ch-ch-ch-cherry toms in our TakeHome cases this week. Cherry tomato bushes are usually the first to produce, and since they keep producing, their season lasts the longest—and so is [...]

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Summer Rice Salad

yellow summer squash

Adapted from epicurious.com INGREDIENTS 2 cups water 1 cup rice 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 15 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 yellow squash, quartered lengthwise and then very thinly sliced [...]

Ingredients for this recipe were included in The FruitGuys TakeHome box. Order yours today! www.fruitguys.com

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Summer Whites: Peaches and Nectarines

white peaches

By Heidi Lewis A fashion edict of the 20th century was “only wear white between Easter and Labor Day.” Wearing white flapper dresses, knickerbockers, and shoes in summer has its practical purposes, and eating white fruit in summer has delicious ones. Have you noticed peaches and nectarines with white flesh this season? They have wonderfully cooling names [...]

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Tabouleh

bulgur wheat spilling from wooden spoon

Courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop INGREDIENTS 1 cup bulgur wheat 1 2/3 cups boiling water 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) 1/3 cup lemon juice 1 cup green onions or other onion, chopped 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped 3 sprigs fresh mint leaves, chopped 1 teaspoon salt ground black pepper to taste Feta cheese, [...]

Ingredients for this recipe were included in The FruitGuys TakeHome box. Order yours today! www.fruitguys.com

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The Mother of All Fickle

capay-paul-muller

By Paul Muller of Full Belly Farm, courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop For Old Timers around here, their world of memory and recollections about oddball weather events embodies a skill that is part genius and part B.S. When I say that this has been a most unusual year, they can point to the floods of [...]

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Ripe On Time

nectarines-peaches-feat

By Chris Mittelstaedt We’re so organized it’s almost bewildering. All week long we’ve been going down the checklist helping the kids get ready for camp. “Sleeping bags?” “Got it, Dad!” “Flashlight?” “Daaadd! I’ve got it!” All three of my kids are heading into the Sierras for two weeks. There will be songs, canoeing, archery—it brings back memories [...]

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Hartland Cherries: Kauffman’s Fruit Farm

cherries-tree-feat

By Heidi Lewis How many people say “worth two in the bush!” when they enter the town limits of Bird-in-Hand in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania? We don’t know, but FruitGuys buyer Jessica says it when she heads to Bird-in-Hand to talk with Kauffman’s Fruit Farm about their summer fruit. Kauffman’s Fruit Farm was started in 1911 by Amos Kauffman [...]

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Balsamic Black Pepper Strawberries

organic strawberries

Adapted from herbsspices.about.com INGREDIENTS 1 pint (8 ounces) ripe strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and sliced 1 tablespoon sugar 2–3 teaspoons good-quality balsamic vinegar Freshly ground coarse black pepper PREPARATION Place the sliced berries in a medium non-reactive bowl (such as glass). Sprinkle the berries with sugar and balsamic vinegar, and toss gently to coat. Allow the [...]

Ingredients for this recipe were included in The FruitGuys TakeHome box. Order yours today! www.fruitguys.com

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Ode to the Apricot

apricots

By Chris Mittelstaedt I was recently given a copy of Robert Palter’s The Duchess of Malfi’s Apricots, and Other Literary Fruits. It’s a great reference book if you like those moments of clarity when writers unravel the human condition in simple observations of nature, like the blush of an apricot or the fragrant night-flowering of [...]

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Balance the Beat

Summer fruits

By Chris Mittelstaedt My daughters are in a rock band. One plays bass and the other drums. My 10-year old drummer has a problem with The Go-Go’s song “We Got The Beat.” “I keep losing my beat,” she says. “Have you looked in the root vegetables bin?” I chuckle. “Dad, not that kind of beet,” [...]

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Cinco de Mayo Fruit Salad in Tortilla Cups

apple strawberries

Recipe courtesy of Delilah’s Farm Report Fruit Salad: INGREDIENTS 1 cup strawberries, hulled and cut in half 1 apple, cut into bite size dice 2 murcott tangerines, separated into segments Grated peel of 1 lemon 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional) PREPARATION Toss fruit with [...]

Ingredients for this recipe were included in The FruitGuys TakeHome box. Order yours today! www.fruitguys.com

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Wearing It On Your Sleeve

strawberries

By Chris Mittelstaedt I’m not a good poker player.  I generally say what I think and you can read the thoughts I’m not saying across my forehead as if it were an electronic billboard streaming data for all of Times Square to see.  One of my daughters seems to have inherited the same gene but [...]

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Patty Cake Pattypan Squash

pattypan squash

Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man – make me a Pattypan as fast as you can. The Pattypan squash is a delightful summer squash. The name comes from the French word pâtisson, a Provençal expression for a cake made in a scalloped mould. That makes sense for the flying saucer-shaped Cucurbita pepo, also known as Scallop squash, White squash, or [...]

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“Where’s Your Coat, Child?”

nectarines

By  Heidi Lewis The parenting adage goes, “Put on a sweater, your mother is cold,” but we needn’t worry about the health of a nectarine, which is indeed a sweater-less peach. Peaches’ fuzzy coats help protect them because pests don’t care for their texture, but nectarines get extra mothering. Nectarines thrive with the special care that many orchardists [...]

Recipe Links

Nectarine Recipes

Preparation Tips

Wash right before eating or cutting. Nectarines add sweetness sliced into green or fruit salads. They hold together well when baked in crisps or grilled and topped with cream. They can also be sliced in a glass and covered with your favorite wine for dessert.

Storage Tips

Nectarines are climacteric, which means they ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to touch and have a sweet aroma. We strive to deliver them to you on the firm side so they won’t be damaged in the shipping. Ripening can be hastened by placing them in a paper bag on the counter. When they’ve reached the desired ripeness, eat or refrigerate for up to several days.
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