The End Is Near

Unfortunately, the growing season here in the Pacific Northwest is rapidly drawing to a close, and the weather in the last week seems to be pushing it even faster than usual. There are still a lot of great things to be found, and that’s how I spent my Saturday and Sunday mornings. Pears and apples are in full swing, and I was able to find two of my favorite heirlooms, Abbè Fètel Pears and Nickajack Apples. Although we seem to be too far north to grow almonds up here, we have good English and Black Walnuts and a lot of great Hazelnuts, which are a perfect accompaniment to the Abbè Fètel Pears. Mair Farm Taki had the last of its Japanese Sweet Peppers for the season, and Tonnemaker Hill Farm had its usual late season selection of winter squash including my favorite find from last year the Japanese Black Futsu Squash - the green/black skin turns tan/orange as the squash ripens in storage.