What’s in your box today (consume in order of appearance on this list!): Heirloom Tomatoes:  We have Black Brandywines, Red Brandywines, Piriform, Lemon Boys, Copias, Purple Calabash, and Green Zebras just to name a few.  They are of varying ripeness with the intention that you will have some that are perfectly ripe to eat right away and some that will be great in the following days. Please note that some of the heirloom varieties are green and are ripe. 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!  Store on counter upside down (never in fridge!). Tomatoes are famously fragile, so please make sure you eat them soon!

Cherry Tomatoes: These oh-so-delicious little treats are a welcome addition to any green salad, pasta salad, or as a quick snack. These are from our transitional fields (see above) and are not certified organic.  Never store in fridge to maintain great flavor and texture.  Keep them on the counter and eat soon.

Shady Lady Tomatoes: These are a wonderful slicing variety with lots of flavor. These are from our transitional fields (see above) and are not certified organic.  Store on counter (never in fridge!) and eat soon.  These will last longer than the heirloom tomatoes.

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.

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.

Parsley:  The beautifully clean, crisp flavor adds depth to many a dish!  Store in a plastic bag in the fridge and use rather quickly.

Nectarines OR Asian Pears:  Some of you will receive nectarines and some of you will receive asian pears.  The nectarines are a late variety ripening during a time of the year when there is more pest pressure and may not be as pretty as a result.  They are a little firm to the touch, but are falling off of the trees which tells us they are ripe.  Please let us know what you think about these.  The Asian pears come from our friends and neighbors at Terra Firma Farm and are certified organic. To ripen fruit if slightly firm, store in a paper bag on the counter for a couple of days.  Store ripe fruit in fridge, and wash before eating.

Melon OR Gypsy Peppers:  Some of you will receive a melon and others of you will receive some gypsy peppers.  We didn’t get very good germination in our melons this year, so we ended up with less than we hoped for. These juicy melons are fragile and must be eaten soon.  Store in fridge and consume with delight!  We just love those sweet little gypsy peppers.  They are great sauteed, roasted, or raw. To roast peppers, place over flame on stove (or in broiler).  Rotate so entire pepper is blackened.  Remove from the heat and place in a bowl with lid/plate covering it.  When cool enough to touch, rinse off blackened skin.  Store in crisper in fridge and wash before use.

Tomatillos:  These beautiful little self-packaged gems make an amazing green salsa and are a wonderful addition to tomato sauces:  dry roast in a hot pan, stirring occasionally, until rather soft.  Take care not to burn!  Store in bag in fridge.  Remove from their papery skins before use.

Summer Squash:  Store in fridge in plastic bag.  Can damage easily but adds a special something to any sauté, soup, or bread.

Eggplant:  These are absolutely gorgeous!  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.

Potatoes:  You may get either the larger Yukon Gold or the smaller German Butterball potatoes in your box this week.  Both are deliciously creamy varieties.  Store these in the fridge and eat the skin for most nutrients! Wash before eating.  So good!