Fall Week 8 - Fruit Share Newsletter

Carambola, also called star fruit for its shape when sliced, is from the  Averrhoacarambola tree. Native to Indonesia, the Phillipines, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, starfruit is now grown in many tropical and subtropical countires throughout the world. The starfruits are great for fresh eating (like an apple), but can also be juiced or sliced into salads.                                         
Green Papaya is used like a vegetable instead of a fruit, with a flavor reminiscent of summer squash or a light potato. Peel them and shred the green interior for use in an Asian slaw, or cube the flesh and cook as you would a potato in soups or stews. 

Pomelos are a member of the citrus family.  These ancestors of the grapefruit are large with sweet, juicy pulp.  Enjoy them juiced or eaten whole like a grapefruit.

The mangoes this week are from the orchard on our farm in the rainforest. They are very sweet, juicy and meaty with minimal stringiness. Watch out for insect damage, because some of the trees we harvested from have had problems in the past - if you do notice any critters just discard those sections - the rest of the fruit is fine to eat. 

Today's cooking bananas are Saba, an excellent variety to accompany savory dishes or use in baked goods. Use them green, or give these certified organic fruits time to ripen and you will be rewarded with decadent sweet flavor!

Everyone this week is receiving a coconut - don't be alarmed by the hard exterior, they are easier to open than you might think! These coconuts have delicious, nutritious water inside, and young meat called "jelly". Everyone at the farm has their favorite way to open coconuts - Jim likes using a cordless drill, for efficient and effective access to the tasty coconut water. Nate likes practicing his bush skills by using a sharp machete to chop off one end until the coconut breaks open. Tell us your preferred method!

Enjoy the harvest,

Claudia & the crew at Ridge to Reef Farm

This Week's Harvest

Pomelo

Cooking Bananas

Mangoes

Limes

Green Papaya

Drinking coconut