Pineapple

Pineapple is a tropical fruit which can be easily found in the stores. They come in many different sizes. When ripe, it has sweet and juicy flesh. They are awesome when eating raw, juiced or cooked. I've seen them in cakes, sweet and sour dishes and fruit salads, just to name a few.

When eating raw though, make sure to dip them in salt water first before eating them, it will help you avoid those nasty "blisters" on your tongue. =)

Have you seen a small size pineapple called Zululand Queen pineapple? I saw them in Nino Salvaggio. They are about the size of a large grapefruit (check out the photo below). I've got to try one. 

Zululand Queen Pineapple

HOW TO PICK A FRESH PINEAPPLE

LOOK FOR THESE:

• A crown with fresh looking spiky leaves (Try pulling a leaf off the crown of the pineapple, if it can be easily pulled off the pineapple is ripe. Some say the method does not work. However, my mom and I have been using this method for a long time, and it hasn't failed us yet.)
• Fresh looking shell that feel firm
• Fresh looking fruitlets (the pineapple eyes) which look like a smiley face, best to be about the size of a quarter
• A light sweet scent coming off the pineapple when you smell it

Notice the color difference
between the bases of these two pineapple

• When ripe, the base of a pineapple turns yellow color from green (as seen in the photo above)

AVOID THESE:

• A crown with dry, yellow and wilting leaves
• Sad face looking fruitlets that are wet, soft or moldy
• A dull looking pineapple shell that have soft/moldy spots 

HOW TO STORE A FRESH PINEAPPLE

IN ROOM TEMPERATURE: Last about 2 days

IN THE FRIDGE: Last about a week

Chayote Squash

Chayote squash is such a cool looking squash, with a pretty light green color. Inside these squash is a large, soft and flattened pit inside which normally white in color.
 

I've heard that you don't need to peel the chayote squash, but I normally do as a habit. If you decide to peel the quash, peel it under running water. So that the stickiness from the peel won't stuck to your hands.

They can be served both raw and cooked. When served cooked, they are usually quick sautéd. So that their crisp texture and sweet flavor can be preserved. I have tried them a few times when they are cooked till soft. They are still very sweet and tasty that way.

Chayote squash can vary in sizes. Sometimes, they can be quite huge. Just take a look at the photo below.

HOW TO PICK FRESH CHAYOTE SQUASH

LOOK FOR THESE:

• A nice green color over all
• Fresh looking stem end
• Smooth and taunt skin
• Feel firm when squeezed
  

AVOID THESE:

• Deep cuts and brown spots
• Feel soft and squishy when squeezed
  
  

HOW TO STORE FRESH CHAYOTE SQUASH

IN THE FRIDGE: If kept in a sealed plastic bag, fresh, unwashed chayote squash can last about 3 weeks.

Cilantro/Chinese Parsley/Coriander

Cilantro, also referred to as coriander or Chinese parsley. They are great when they are served fresh as a garnish, pretty, crunchy and fragrant. However, once cooked, their flavor and texture are not the same.

I haven't met many people who do not like cilantro. Have you?

Cilantro have been a stable in my parents garden, ever since they have a garden. They are great as ground cover plants when they are nice and green. If you just leave the cilantro plants grow, eventually they will have pretty white and pink flowers.They look like baby's breath when put in a bouquet.

Cilantro Flowers_01

Cilantro Flowers_02

HOW TO PICK FRESH CILANTRO IN THE STORE

LOOK FOR THESE: 

• Look fresh and green throughout

AVOID THESE: 

• Look wilting, or turning yellow
  
• With reddish stems (It is a sign that the cilantro plants are getting too mature. They can be pretty stringy.) 
  
  

HOW TO STORE FRESH CILANTRO

IN THE FRIDGE: You can keep fresh cilantro in the crisp draw for a week. However, with a little extra work, they can stay fresh for another extra week:

1. Remember, ONLY wash the cilantro before eating them, NOT before storing.
2. Remove the rubber band that tie the cilantro together
3. Hold the bunch of cilantro together by the stems and shake to loose leaves out
4. Remove all the yellowing, wilting stems and leaves
5. Put the cilantro in a seal container prior to putting them in the fridge (The container will help the cilantro to stay fresh and moist for longer.)
   

A Pretty & Fragrant Bouquet from My Parent's Garden

As my mom and I wondered around the garden today, we saw so many pretty flower blooming. The most interesting flowers are the ones from the radish plants, common rue plants, honeysuckle plants and the cilantro plants. They look so delicate. We can't help but trimmed a few of those flower branches. The bouquet look so great and smell so good. I wish you can smell it. =) Below are some photos of the bouquet, hope you will like it.

Garden Bouquet_01

Garden Bouquet_02

Garden Bouquet_03

Garden Bouquet_04_Closeup of Rue Flowers

Garden Bouquet_05_Closeup of Cilantro Flowers

Garden Bouquet_06_Closeup of Cilantro Flowers

Next time you get some herbs and produce, don't forget the possibilities of adding them to a bouquet. I certainly will now. =)

Prune Plums/Empress Plums

HOW TO PICK FRESH PRUNE PLUMS
LOOK FOR THESE:

• Fresh looking, smooth and taunt skin
• With fresh looking stem still attached
• Yield slightly evenly when squeezed gently (As I mentioned before, these prune plums bruise easily. Even though the softer prune plums are probably ready to be eaten right away, it is hard to know if it has been bruised. It's better to pick the ones that only yield slightly, and leave them ripen further after you bring them home.)

AVOID THESE:

• Seem to have goo coming out of the stem end, or look wet
• Squishy when gently squeezed 

HOW TO STORE FRESH PRUNE PLUMS
You can leave prune plums on the counter to ripen further in room temperature. Try not to put anything heavy on top of them to avoid any bruising. They should be ripe enough after about two days. Check them by squeezing them gently, eat the ones which are the softest first.

IN ROOM TEMPERATURE: Once ripen, it's best to consume prune plum within 2-3 days for optimum freshness, if you decide to leave them in room temperature.

IN THE FRIDGE: Try not to refrigerate the prune plum until they are ripe. Once ripen, you can prolong their freshness for an extra few days longer than leaving them in room temperature.

Prune Plum Cut in Half Lengthwise

HOW TO ENJOY FRESH PRUNE PLUMS

Once washed thoroughly, you can simply bite into them, or you can cut them in halves lengthwise. Its yellow flesh should be nicely soft and wonderfully sweet. My husband love to peel its skin off before eating them. It does preserve its texture and taste better, I have to admit.

Westview Orchards Trip - The Perfect Day to Pick Some Perfect Apples =)

Today is about 61 degrees, sunny with a light breeze. It is a perfect day to pick some apples. We decided to go to Westview Orchards in Washington Twp., Michigan, pick some fresh apples and enjoy some cider and donuts. =)

It's the first time for us to Westview Orchards. It is much bigger than we think. There are something for everyone. There areas designated for Family Fun, Bakery, Farmers Market and the U-Pick Farms.

Westview Orchards Parking Lot (It Is Huge)

Decor Around The Orchard

Cider and Donuts Area

The Two Beautiful Horses For The Hay Ride

Entrance For Family Fun And U-Pick Farms

After about 6 minutes of wagon ride, we reach the section of the orchards for picking apples. There are four varieties available at the moment: Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious/Golden Delicious, Jonagold and Cortland.

Red Delicious Apples

Red Delicious Apples_01

Red Delicious Apples_02

Red Delicious Apples_03

Red Delicious Apples_04

Red Delicious Apples_05

Red Delicious Apples_06

Yellow/Golden Delicious Apples

Yellow/Golden Delicious Apples_01

Yellow/Golden Delicious Apples_02

Jonagold Apples

Jonagold Apples_01

Jonagold Apples_02

Jonagold Apples_03

Cortland Apples

Cortland Apples_01

Cortland Apples_02

After all the hard work of picking apples, we settle down for some cold cider and donuts. 

Look at How Much Apples We Brought Home =)

Donut with Icing and Sprinkles (Not my favorite, but my husband loves it.)

Donut with Sprinkle Sugar

We have so much fun. Can't wait to go back to the orchards for some Fuji apples. =) Below are some more random photos from our trip. Hope you will be making your trip to an orchard soon.

Farmers Market Section of the Orchard_01

Farmers Market Section of the Orchard_02

Farmers Market Section of the Orchard_03

Apple Varieties - More to come...

More apple varieties to come...

Gala apples have yellow or yellowish-green vertical stripes on their skin. Its skin has a mix of red, yellowish-green and orange colors. Its clean, crisp, sweet and mild flavor flesh has a hint of tartness.

Ginger Gold Apples have sweet flesh with a tiny bit of tartness. It has a soft pear texture, unlike the crisp texture most apples provide.

 

Honeycrisp Apples have whitish flesh, sweet with a hint of tang. They are very crisp and light.




 

Sansa Apple is a new found variety for me this year. It is mostly sweet with a hint of tartness, with very crisp flesh. The best part of eating these apples is the light soothing scent which accompanies with each bite.