Strawberries: We dare to pick these ripe so they taste amazing. Those red strawberries in the store that are white and crunchy are picked way underripe. If your berries arrive in a mess, let me know. I will replace them. Eat them right away. Do not store them. Romaine Lettuce: Just beautiful lettuce. You will have one large head or two small ones. This is in a plastic bag to protect it. Store in your crisper.
Italian Basil: Not a typo this time. It really is in your box.
Arugula: I am so happy to have arugula back. I love this green. I first grew it back in the late 80s for the River Cafe in London when it was just a strange vegetable requested by this Italian restaurant. Store in the crisper.
Summer Squash: We have four types of squash planted, so you may get the light green Mexican, the dark green zucchini, yellow squash, or the round ones. Store in the fridge.
Heirloom Tomatoes: Anna and Juanita are making sure you get some ripe and some a little under ripe to eat later in the week. These are fragile so please inspect them when you get your box. Eat any split or damaged ones soon. Let me know if they are damaged, and I will replace them. Keep on the counter unless they are cut or split in which case refrigerate them.
Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes: The seeds for these wonderful summer fruits have been grown from seed we have selected and saved over the last twenty years. We will try and give you a range of ripeness so they last longer. Do not refrigerate.
Plums or Nectarines: We have moved to picking these a little under ripe as so many of you were having them arrive damaged. I was heartened last week to hear how they did ripen in a couple days, and one member told me they were the best nectarines she had ever had. Patience.
Mixed Sweet Peppers: A mix of a few new varieties that we tried this year. These are in the bag that does not have a label. Store in the crisper.
Hot Peppers: These are not so hot. I know some of you do not like them, but I do get lots of requests from members. The chili making crowd gets very excited. The label on the bag says: "If you find these on your doorstep they have been re-gifted by a member of Eatwell Farm who cannot stand the heat. Please enjoy them and consider joining our community. www.eatwell.com."
Eggplant (Aubergine, for those of you from Europe): This is not bitter like the store-bought ones. I never liked them unless they were soaked and salted. These taste great. Lorraine dipped the slices in batter last week. Store in the crisper.
Yellow or Cioppolini Onions: A very special treat. These are field-ripened in the sun for maximum flavor. There were also shallots on the planting schedule, but somehow they were missed or another farm got a double lot of shallots.