Summer Week 3 - Fruit Share Newsletter

Everyone this week is receiving a single coconut - don't be alarmed by its 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!

You'll also find some papaya in your box - if not fully ripe yet, allow a few days until it is still firm but smells sweet, yields slightly to pressure and has a blush of color. Eat it fresh or blend it in a smoothie.

Gooseberries are making an appearance again this week - remember, they are the white fruits that must be cooked before eating. They are comparable to cranberries - they are usually stewed with sugar as a kind of sauce, or made into a jam. You can always freeze them and use them later, for a special meal.

The small pink fruits are Wax Apples, also called love apple, java apple and rose apple, among other names. Eat them fresh like an apple - the fruits are refreshing and have a mild, sweet floral flavor.  

The mangoes are mostly Julie and Manzana varieties again, from the Kai Lawaetz Orchard and Garden of Ridge to Reef Farm. These have sweet, smooth flesh and minimal stringiness. Use them green or ripe - allow up to a week for fully ripe mangoes.

Have a fruitful week,

Claudia & the crew at Ridge to Reef Farm

This Week's Harvest

Mangoes

Wax Apples

Gooseberries

Coconut (for water and jelly)

Papaya