Know the Folks that Grow Your Food
Newsletter for August 18, 2011
Hi To All,
Even though it may not seem like
it, we do know Fall is coming. And so
we continue to plan for the new
season, knowing it won’t be long
before we’ll be enjoying cool, dry
nights and crisp sunny days!
We are excited about our Fall
Festival, planned for October 22nd.
If you would like to be part of the
planning committee, email me now at:
mail@goodearthorganicfarm.com
We’d love to have your help!
For the McKinney Market this
Saturday, we should have:
o Pears
o Peppers
o Purslane
o Onion
o Garlic
o Okra
o Eggplant
Stay cool y’all. Talk to you next
week,
Anne (Office Lady  )
This is Worth A Try!
The smell of garlic can be removed
by running your hands under cold
water while rubbing a stainless
steel object.
Garlic Braids
Available now. Probably the
last batch of garlic for a
while…we have a few of these
ready-made braids left.
Hang in your kitchen, and it’s
not just ornamental! A fun way
to “store” your garlic. And they
always make great gifts for the
cook, a teacher or a like-minded
organically conscious friend.
Available at Market This
Weekend!
Our Farmer’s Markets
Summer
Schedule
CARE for PEARS!
(Borrowed from usapears.com)
1st Saturday– McKinney Market
2nd Saturday – White Rock Market
3rd Saturday – McKinney Market
(That’s THIS Weekend!!!)
4th Saturday– White Rock Market
For Maps, Extra Events, Etc.
For both markets, go to their websites:
www.chestnutsquare.org/programs/farmers_market.asp
www.whiterocklocalmarket.com
PLEASE NOTE: The Greenville
Farmer’s Market has temporarily
closed due to heat and drought.
Other avenues are being explored
AND you can always pick up at the
farm (Call Paul first! 903-4534040).
Stay tuned for more Farmer’s
Market info!!
A ripe pear is a sweet pear.
A little known fact about the pear is that it
is one of the few fruits that does not ripen
on the tree. The pear is harvested when it
is mature, but not yet ripe, and, if left at
room temperature, it slowly reaches a sweet
and succulent maturity as it ripens from the
inside out.
So, how do you know when the pear has
ripened to sweet and juicy perfection?
The best way to judge ripeness Check the
Neck™: Apply gentle pressure to the neck
of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to
pressure, it’s ripe. Easy, isn’t it?
Here’s what you need to do to ripen your
pears:



Leave firm, unripe pears at room
temperature so that they can ripen.
Check the Neck for Ripeness daily,
by applying gentle pressure to the
neck, or stem end, of the pear with
your thumb. If it yields to pressure,
then it’s ripe and ready to eat!
Once the pear is ripe, it can be
refrigerated to slow the ripening
process and saved for use up to five
days later.
To Prevent Browning
Keep a fresh fruit fresh.
Like many fruits, the flesh of cut or peeled
pears will eventually brown. This natural
oxidation process won’t affect the taste or
quality. However, to keep your pears
looking appetizing and to prevent
browning, dip them in a mild solution of
50% water and 50% lemon juice!
Refrigerating Pears
Remember, don’t refrigerate an unripe
pear!
Ripened pears can be used at once or put
under refrigeration (35º to 45º F) until you
want to use them. Refrigeration will delay
further ripening but will not stop it
altogether, giving you adequate time to
include fresh pears in your menu planning.
Remember, pears need to ripen at room
temperature, so don’t refrigerate an unripe
pear!
Speedy Ripening
Flavor well worth the wait
Place underripe pears in a fruit bowl at
room temperature near other ripening fruit
like bananas, which naturally give off
ethylene and will help speed up the
ripening process. And if you find yourself
with a few too many overripe pears, blend
them into smoothies, soups, sauces and
purees!
Wash Before Eating
All it takes is cold water
Thoroughly wash pears immediately prior
to eating or preparation. Under cold,
drinkable water, use your clean hands or a
soft-bristled produce scrub brush to gently
but vigorously scrub the entire exterior of
the pear, taking extra care to cleanse the
indentations near the stem (at the top) and
calyx (at the bottom) of the pear. The total
process will take 15 – 20 seconds.
Washing the entire exterior of the pear will
help to eliminate dirt and/or commonly
occurring bacteria that may be found on the
fruit’s surface. Wash fruit even if you plan
on peeling it.