We have an organic pile of dirt and it grows strong, clean, live, nutritious food. From the very beginning Andy has said one of his main motivations for changing the farm's fields to organic was to husband the soil. That the soil on our little patch of the planet is cherished and taken care of with intention is beyond awesome. We do not take our soil for granted but make sure it has the necessary nutrients to grow the food we ask it to.

The perception of soil is that it is dirty and causes illness. The average person spends much of their life ridding themselves of dirt.  They have no concept of the significance and value of dirt.

A celebration is in order for the grains of dirt that land in your sink when you are washing your weekly vegetables. This is your link to the farm. However, you may feel at the first sight of dirt on your veggies and the impending washing, take a moment to think about what it is, and how it got there.

Without dirt and her partnership with millions of tiny critters we cannot have food.  It gives us tons of food year after year without asking anything in return.

Now about the practical issues to dealing with clumps of dirt. One can set vegetables like potatoes on a couple of opened newspaper pages and remove the dirt by gently rubbing them with your fingers. Put the vegetable in a green bag and place the folded up newspapers in your recycle bin.

When you're ready to fix dinner get out your dish tub and position it and your dusty vegetables in your sink. Rinse and brush in a thin stream of water Spray it once with a commercial vegetable cleaner or a week solution of GS8 (grapefruit seed extract).  When the rinse water needs to be refreshed carry it outside to water a flower pot or garden. This process can be repeated until the vegetable is clean enough to eat, but remember your grandmother's advice that a little dirt won't hurt you.

Greens are best cleaned in a salad spinner. These are definitely not frivolous, snobby kitchen equipment. Salad spinners make cleaning greens easy. Use the bowl of rinse water to water a plant.

Many of the root veggies like carrots, beets and potatoes will store better and longer with dirt kept on them until you are ready to use them.  To keep your fridge clean you can simply place them into a plastic bag, so the dirt that comes off with simply remain in the bag.

~Compliments of Ann Grant Martin

So, how do you know when the pear has ripened to sweet and juicy perfection?

While a Bartlett's skin color brightens as it ripens, most varieties of pears show little change in color.

The best way to judge ripeness for non-Bartlett varieties is to check the neck of the pear. Apply gentle pressure to the neck of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to pressure, it's ripe. 

Here's what you need to do to ripen your pears: 

1) Leave firm, unripe pears at room temperature so that they can ripen.

2) 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!

3) 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!