Tuesday, February 27, 2018

IN THE HOT HOUSE

      In the hot house we are tending  tender young tomato, eggplant and pepper plants.  With the freezing weather we have had, they needed lots of attention and are off to a slow start.  Nonetheless they are amazing.
     It has been a dry winter and we are celebrating the winter-like storms that are coming our way. We would love to have a year where water needs can be easily met.  But with the rains we have to hope the peach leaf curl is not too intense.  Many other orchardists are out spraying fungicides to protect their investment. We are hoping our orchard sanitation practices will significantly decrease disease pressures. 
      The ume (Japanese plums) blossomed and set weeks ago.  As a result of last week's freezing temperatures we see many shriveled ume on the trees.  We hope some will survive.



These are our Feb., Mar., and Apr. hours:  
TU, WED, THUR:  11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Fri, Sat:    10 am to 6 pm
Sun:          10 am to 5 pm
Mon: Closed
If you need to come at a different time, please call us at
(916) 300-0720 for an appointment.
Here's what we have in the farm stand now from Otow Orchard:
Navel oranges
Blood oranges
Yellow grapefruit
Kiwi
Hoshigaki  (Also available though Mail Order.  See home page)
Pecans
This is what we have from other producers:
Navel oranges from Pleasant Hill Farm
Eureka Lemons from Mihara Farm
Kiwi from Mihara Farm
Winter vegetables from Barley Oats Farm
Raw honey from Nastase  Honey Farm in Lincoln
Local honey from Top O'The Hill Apiary in Granite Bay
Jams from The Good Stuff
Eggs from Two Feather Farm

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

WE HAVE LEMONS

They say, when you have lemons, make lemonade.  Why stop there.  You could also make lemon meringue pie or lemon bars.  We have fresh lemons covered with fresh zest to add flavor to your lemon meringue pie.  Here is my mother's favorite recipe.



Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie
5  Tblsp cornstarch                 2 Tblsp butter
2   Tblsp flour                          1  Tblsp  lemon zest
1  cup sugar                              6 Tblsp fresh lemon juice
¼ to ½  tsp salt                For Meringue
2  cups warm water             3 egg whites
3 egg yolks beaten                6  Tblsp sugar
1 nine inch pie crust             1 Tsp lemon juice
                                                  ½ tsp lemon zest

Mix cornstarch, flour, sugar and salt.  Gradually add water, stirring constantly.  Stir slowly into beaten yolk and mix until smooth. Pour into top of double boiler. Cook over boiling water, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.  Cook 5 minutes more until it just begins to boil, stirring occasionally. Do not let it burn or get lumpy.  Remove from boiling water, stir in butter, lemon zest and juice.  Cover and cool.  Pour into pastry shell. Cool.

Meringue:  Beat room temperature egg whites until soft peaks form.  Gradually add sugar, juice and zest while continuing to beat.  Continue to whip until stiff and glossy.  Spread on cooled pie.  Spread to edge of crust. Bake in moderate oven 350 degrees for 12 minutes.  Cool gradually away from drafts.
PLEASE NOTE: We are taking advantage of this slow season to take a vacation day.  We will be closed Thurs. March 1, 2018,  Otherwise these are our Feb., Mar., and Apr. hours:  
TU, WED, THUR:  11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Fri, Sat:    10 am to 6 pm
Sun:          10 am to 5 pm
Mon: Closed
If you need to come at a different time, please call us at
(916) 300-0720 for an appointment.
Here's what we have in the farm stand now from Otow Orchard:
Navel oranges
Blood oranges
Yellow grapefruit
Kiwi
Hoshigaki  (Also available though Mail Order.  See home page)
Pecans
This is what we have from other producers:
Navel oranges from Pleasant Hill Farm
Eureka Lemons from Mihara Farm
Kiwi from Mihara Farm
Winter vegetables from Barley Oats Farm
Raw honey from Nastase  Honey Farm in Lincoln
Jams from The Good Stuff
Eggs from Two Feather Farm




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