The beefsteak tomatoes are just starting! We picked a few flats this weekend. Starting next week you should start seeing more tomatoes appear in your boxes along with canteloupes. We found a couple crates of ripe canteloupes (the variety we grow is called "Sarah's Choice") on Friday and they were incredible. Still not enough to predictably put them in boxes, but expect them soon.
We have about 10 crates of pears to put in your boxes this week- not enough for everyone, so if you aren't a pear fan feel free to swap them out so those that are can enjoy. The variety is called Ubileen and originates from the former Yugoslavia. They are very early ripening (a full month before most other pear varieties), but don't cold storage for more than a couple weeks. They are sweet, smooth textured, super juicy.. But man has it been quite a learning curve getting a harvest. The first 3 years of so that they set fruit we watched them grow with anticipation waiting and waiting... just a couple more days we would say- then we'd go to pick... and they were all gone- stolen overnight be raccoons, possums and the like. Now there's more to go around. Then for a couple years we picked and waited and waited for them to soften. Unlike most pears accept Bartletts, they will ripen without cold storage. After over a week awaiting ripening we would cut in and find them rotten- a telltale sign that we had picked too ripe. So disheartening :( Finally last year we realized that they don't get soft as they ripen, like an Asian pear the outside stays firm even though the fruit is soft, not crunchy like an Asian pear. If you leave them sitting too long on the counter they will turn brown from the inside out. We want you to avoid the pitfalls we have: They are ready to eat! Eat them within a couple days of getting them... or if you aren't going to eat them right away, keep them in your fridge. Once out of the fridge they should be eaten within a couple days. 2-3 seems like it's just fine, but 4 days plus and you will often find them overripe even if on the outside they still feel firm and don't look ready.
