Robins Fresh and Fruity

How many of you have been to the grocery store and bought a peach that was rock hard.  That is because they must pick them very early to ship them to the number of locations they need to. The link provided, however, gives some useful information on what you can do with store-bought peaches to make them eatable. In the actual words of my sister, Peg Pyle, "I t's good to inform people what to look for in the store, but they also need to know they will not come close to the flavor of nearly tree-ripened, local peaches when they are in season." The variety of peaches current offered at OLO in the approximate order of ripening are: Bellaire , New Haven, Starfire, Jay Haven, Flamin Fury (aka, Lucky 13), Bounty, Redskin (limited supply), Canadian Harmony, Sunhigh , Contender, Hale Haven (limited supply), Fingerlakes (limited quantity), Harrow Beauty. Starting mid-August and generally done the first week of September. Of course, this depends on the w...

The University District Farmers Market will be open on 4/25/20 The people of Seattle seemed to be doing a great job of public distancing. It seems to be the best sign in an environment where most news is dishearting at best.  This gives me great hope.  My wish is that it does for all of you.   Seattle like everywhere is being hit hard by the coronavirus. Like, everyone, they are striving to provide outlets for their residents

We would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to complete our short survey so we may better serve you. Thank You Our Little Orchard Robins Fresh and Fruity Blog

What is up for the end of July? Yellow Plums or Shiro  and Red Raspberries  They will both will come around the end of July.  They are both excellent and delicious and significant in vitamins. Try Plum and Lemon Upside Down Cake with Lavender Whip Cream, and if you're into something good to drink, check out this video. 

Where is the fruit - this time sour cherries Yummy   Oh, by the way, check out Fresh and Fruities Facebook page picture to see the OLO lady of the day. My very own sister Peggy Pyle. Sour cherries are my favorite.  Not a fan of the seeds but still love eating them right off the tree.  Unless the birds get to them first. Sour cherries will be coming in July.  They can be canned, frozen, made into pies, jellies, and just eaten off the trees if you're lucky enough to get there before the birds.  Cherry Pie III is a beautiful recipe for sour cherries.    Check out the U-tube video on how to make Sweet and Sour Chicken with Sour Cherries.  Really fun and tasty  And for a little treat Sour Cherry Absinthe Cocktail Ingredients 3 / 4   cup  sour cherries 2   ounces  white rum  (Bacardi) 1 / 2   ounce  absinthe  (Vieux Carré) 3   dashes  ...

Welcome back to the Fresh and Fruities.  With the weather turning cold yet again, we may start wondering when the fruit will come in. I am sure the regulars of OLO will have the timing down, let alone their orders already to place, but for those who don't, this should help.  I did some checking with Our Little Orchard and have been given some dates that may be hopeful. Frist in is the  sweet cherries coming to the end of June 2020. Spiced-Cherry-Chutney Cherry Chicken Lettuce Wraps All three look tasty.  

This page is to give you a little backstory on OLO.  This business was started by my brother-in-law, owner, Chirs Pyle.  He and my sister Peggy have run it since 1985.   It is the epitome of a small family business. The site of OLO is part of the homestead on the Zion Road in Bellefonte, PA, including some tress on our brothers' land and some at Chris's parents' home in Rebersburg, PA.   This business needs attention, Fall, Winter, Spring, and especially Summer.         Fall Winter Spring Summer It is a lot of work, but the Pyles are a hard-working family.   If you would like to check them at their Facebook page at Our Little Orchard. It took Chris several years to become established, but now the fruit sold is all from OLO.  As the years have gone, families and friends have lent a hand when needed.  That is what family and friends do. OLO is genuinely a small family business....

So facing the reality of a closed world, what happens if there is no fresh fruit, what is a (Fresh and Fruity) person to do? If you can not find the items you want fresh, you can always check out the canned fruits in your local grocery.  At least until you learn to can yourself.  Keep an eye out for Blogs yet to some. As for now, have you tried canned pears?  Honey Glazed Upside Down Pear Cake  Looks good, and it is made with canned pears. Ham and Pear Panini  Even for lunch There are so many receipts online not only for pears but for all types of canned fruits.  There is no reason to now add these into your family's diet. Canned pears (themselves) are low in calories and have a great taste, so enjoy.

Welcome back to Fresh and Fruity, things today 4/15/2020 is a little worrying for those of us who live in central PA.  Where I live, there is frost, and frost hurts blossoming fruits. This U-Tube video is from TX but is pertinent to what is happening to us now.  If you would like to check out  PA weather today , you can find it easily by click on this on the above link. Hoping that we do not get to much lousy weather, but no matter we will have fruit.

Happy April to all you fruity followers. It's time to think more about the upcoming growing season. Once again I am referring to our old friend the  Farmers Almanac . For our area, the last frost is around May 1.  So its good to start plants indoors to give them that extra time.  According to the almanac, you can start cantaloupes, pumpkins, tomatoes, and watermelon now and you can actually start seeds for radish outdoors in a planter or your garden.  PSU Extention  is another location to get information on such goodies as strawberries. 

I have to admit to you all that the Honey Crisps purchased yesterday do not compare to those dress off the tress from Our Little Orchard.  However, right now, they are better than nothing. While it is too early for off the tree fruits, the above shows that in Central PA the fruit is on its way at OLO (Our Litte Orchard) Recently I received a nice head a cabbage. I enjoy added this into soups.  One receipt I found was from WNEP TV channel 16 Ourdoor Life "Jakes Venison Piggy Soup"  I know the title is a bit off-putting, but you have to admit it looks great and is full of fresh offerings including one of my favorite fruits tomatoes. Vinson  really makes this good.  If you check out the site, you can get the actual receipt.  It makes for good comfort food.

It is a little early for fresh fruits in Central PA; however, there are still things you can buy at your local grocery store that can fit the need. For example, bananas are a great source of potassium.  They can be eaten raw or in multiple desserts. You can also peel them and freeze them to be added to drinks.  This means no waste. You can find great recipes for bananas and many others at  Kraft . The following blog will take you through the steps to make a great banana smoothie. Tomatoes are another fruit that you can buy from the store now.  Of course, there is nothing like biting into a ripe tomato right off the bush, but that has to wait.  For now, this great source of vitamin C, along with many others, will have to be purchased at the store. If you research  tomatoes , you'll find great information. My favorite to munch on are cherry tomatoes.  There are great in salads or just by the handful.

I was brought up in a rural area of central PA.  My parents had come through hard times in the US.  My mother had been raised on a farm.  Because of this, picking, cleaning, canning, freezing, and juicing of fruits was just second nature for her. Since I am now a grandmother, I found the habits and lessons my mother passed down to be priceless. Like using what is in season and making do with what you have. One way is to grow your own.  For now, it is too early in the year; however, you can shop for and find great fresh foods. Today, for instance, I made the journey to Wal-Mart and was able to find some very lovely Honeycrisp apples and Red Raspberries.                             Honeycrisp Apples  are not just good for you; they are great tasting.  You can bake them, fry them, turn them into a pie, but my favorite way is to just eat them.  At around 80 calories apiece...

With Spring finally coming around, the gardening season and roadside fruit stand can not be far off. Mowing, pruning, and prepping is right around the corner. The Farmers Almanac,  Farmersalmanac , is an excellent guide for when to plant, and it is updated daily. This magazine includes many interesting and helpful article like the following: The first sign of Spring around our Little Orchard is the beautiful cherry blossoms that in time lead to   

Welcome to Robins Fresh and Fruity.  We are going to research and check out fresh fruit, such as that sold on local fruit stands.  One, in particular, is Our Little Orchard - Zion Road, Bellefonte, PA.                                                                        It is early in my area, but the above is soon going to be seen in central PA and around the US.   Currently, fresh fruit in PA is not in season in our area, however, in no time we will see sites like this:  The trees show above are Peach Trees, which will start blooming for 2020 in the next few weeks, and by August actual fruit The USDA  has valuable information on fresh fruit that is very helpful.  Also, you can go online or in Grams Receipt Cards and find a wide variety of ways to pre...