Arata Farm

Mercado Kitchen: Quince Ratafia Two Ways

Posted on by Mission Community Market in Arata Farm, Blog, Hale Apple Farm, Mercado Kitchen, Recipes | Leave a comment

Ah Quince, you perplexing fruit with a storied past. It looks like an apple or a pear, but don’t you dare take one bite of it raw! Supposedly, 17th Century cookbooks contain more recipes for quince than any other orchard fruit, so I wonder what cooks living hundreds of years ago knew that I don’t! But both Arata Farms and Hale’s Apple Farm have gorgeous quince right now at MCM so I decided to go ahead and give a new recipe a whirl.

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Tired of the usual jam and preserve recipes, I decided to try something that’s not for you teetotalers out there–an old-timey infused liqueur known as “ratafia” which is a name given to cordials made of different fruit, one varietal including quince. The recipe I adapted called for two quinces, but by the time I was finished grating the first one I had almost filled up an entire quart-sized jar. So I I decided to try two slight variations on the same recipe, using one fruit per jar. The main difference is that one recipe contains raw grated quince and the other contains chopped quince that I cooked down slightly. I’ll share the results with you in a few weeks when the infusion process is complete–though I feel confident both will probably be mighty tasty. The ingredients I used were the same for both recipes – these quantities will make you enough ratafia for about one quart-sized jar.  Read more

Recipe: Pom-poached pears

Posted on by Mission Community Market in Arata Farm, K&J Orchards, Rainbow Orchards, Recipes, Twin Girls Farm | Leave a comment

In just a few short weeks, Thanksgiving will be upon us! If you’re looking for new, exciting recipes to wow your guests, look no further! We’ll be posting a series of Turkey Day recipes leading up to the big day, featuring all the delicious goodies you can find at MCM!

Here’s a tasty desert that offers a burst of color while highlighting the fruits of the season. This recipe for pomegranate-poached pears is relatively easy to execute, looks impressive, and is a delicious and healthier alternative to many deserts.

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Get to know Persimmons

Posted on by Mission Community Market in Arata Farm, Blog, Twin Girls Farm | Leave a comment

Fall is on its way, and that means loads of delicious seasonal fruit will soon be available. First up are persimmons, available from Arata Farm and Twin Girls Farm. The fruit is edible and delicious in its firm state, but many believe that the best flavor is achieved when the fruit is able to rest a bit after harvest to develop a softer texture.

Commercially, there are two main types of persimmons: astringent and non-astringent.  Astringent persimmons contain very high levels of tannins and therefore should not be eaten before fully ripened. The Hachiya variety of persimmons sold by Twin Girls are the most common type of astringent persimmon. Non-astringent persimmons are not entirely free of tannins, but they have much lower levels than the astringent varieties and can be enjoyed when firm or when more mature.

The non-astringent persimmons available at Arata’s stand (pictured) are nice and firm, and I’ve been enjoying them all week long, eaten whole or cut into wedges. Twin Girls’ Hachiyas are much softer and are also delectable. Both varieties are delicious and ready for tasting at MCM! Check out these great suggestions of five interesting ways to eat this unique fruit, including everything from salsas to margaritas.

The return of figs!

Posted on by Mission Community Market in Arata Farm | Leave a comment

Faithful fans of MCM will remember that we told you a while back that figs have two growing seasons each year. Well, the time has come to snatch up those little green baskets filled with pure joy and deliciousness for the second time this summer. Arata Farm has them at the moment, and they are plump, ripe, and full of flavor. If you’ve never tried a fig before, be sure to come on down and give ’em a whirl. They taste delicious when paired with the sage honey sold by California Olive Oil or a little lemon quark from Spring Hill Cheese.

Check out this great recipe for a fig tartlett with goat cheese.

What’s the Fig Deal?

Posted on by Mission Community Market in Arata Farm | Leave a comment

Arata Farms have brought us this year’s first crop of Mission Figs! Mission figs were originally brought to the west coast of the US by Spanish missionaries, hence their name.  Though far from their native home in the Middle East, the delicious flavor of these treats has not been compromised one bit! Surprisingly, figs are not actually a fruit but rather the infructescence or scion of the tree, where the flowers and seeds are borne. Mission figs are ripe when they turn dark purple in color, which is why they are amongst the “black” variety. Figs are one of the highest plant sources of fiber and Calcium, and they have several other nutritional benefits including antioxidants.

Figs typically have a short, quick season in early summer (that’s what’s happening now) and a second, slightly longer season that runs from late summer into the fall.  Since these tasty, seasonal delights will likely vanish from our market after just a few weeks, it’s best to grab yours now while you still can!