Peaches, Passion Fruit, Jujubes, Oh My!

The end of September is a magical time. A time where Summer ends, Autumn begins, and seasonal produce offerings are just beginning to change. Be sure to stop by the market this weekend to pick up the last of the summer fruits, and indulge in ripening autumn options.

This weekend we say a fond farewell to Summer stonefruits such as peaches and nectarines. As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect time to get canning and jam making, or to bake tarts, cakes, and pies.

Find the last of these beauties at multiple farmstands, such as Brocks Fruit Farm, Dhillon Farm, and Noble Orchards!

A hearty hello to two lesser-known, but incredible fruits: Passion Fruit and Jujubes!

Native to South America, passion fruits both look and taste like something out of this world; with a wrinkly purple exterior when ripe, and a gooey yellow center sprinkled with crunchy black seeds. They have a tangy, almost citrusy flavor that becomes sweeter as the fruit ripens. Passion fruit also has a myriad of health benefits! High in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, these fruits can help boost immunity, aid in digestion, reduce blood pressure, and more! The insides can be easily scooped out with a spoon, and eaten seeds and all. They are wonderful by themselves, in a variety of recipes, and as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, and more! You can find them at the Harpos Farms booth where you get your fresh squeezed OJ.

While you’re over at the Dhillon Farm’s booth picking up the most delicious green plums on the planet, give one of their Jujubes a try! Also known as Chinese Dates, these odd little fruits are fun, flavorful, and packed with health benefits. Jujubes are snack-size with a small pit, and a flavor similar to that of dried apples. They start out green and become more reddish-brown as they ripen. You can enjoy them when their skin is smooth and they have more crunch with a lighter flavor, and as they continue to ripen and become wrinkly with a more intense dried-fruit flavor. Jujubes have been used in Chinese medicine for 3,000 years to help manage stress and promote good sleep and digestion. They also have an insane Vitamin C content. Eating 100g (about a quarter pound) of jujubes will easily infuse you with your daily dose of Vitamin C. Scientific studies have shown that Vitamin C levels are at their highest in jujubes when they are just beginning to get their red color, and decrease as the jujube ripens with age. Vitamin C is integral for promoting healthy tissue growth, as well as boosting the immune system. Not only are they delicious, they help make your skin glow and keep you in good health!

Happy Fall Everyone!