Lychee season, which usually runs from May to August in Hawaii, is upon us! The first lychee plant brought to Hawaii was imported from China in 1873 by Mr. Ching Chock and planted on the property of Mr. Chun Afong. Because it does best in warm, humid climates, lychee thrived in Hawaii. This popular fruit, sometimes known as litchi or lichi, is a part of the soapberry family. The large, long-lived, evergreen tree produces red or pale orange fruits with a tough, “bumpy,” easily peeled skin resembling large raspberries. Each contains a juicy, translucent white, and gelatinous fruit with a distinctive, sweet, slightly acidic fragrance and flavor, comparable to grapes.

Lychee is known as the “queen of fruits” because it’s packed with an abundance of nutrients that are anti-inflammatory (flavanol), can boost the immune system (vitamin C), regulate blood pressure (potassium and sodium), improve digestion (water + fiber), and promote cardiovascular health (antioxidants).

Preparation

Peel the skin and eat the white flesh around the seed.

Lychees keep well, offering perhaps better-than-fresh quality after a few weeks of storage. They turn brown, which sometimes indicates increased sweetness.

Dried lychees are larger but similar to raisins, and a prized delicacy in some countries. Sealed well, they can be stored for as long as a year. Fresh or dried, lychees can be chopped into fruit or green salads. Stuffed lychees are popular with cream cheese and nuts.

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Zucchini – a sign that summer is here! This summer squash, like all squash plants, originated in the Americas. Europeans liked it so much, they brought the plants to grow and cultivate back home. It was in Italy where the modern-day zucchini came to be and it was called zucchino, or little squash. Courgette, French for zucchini, is the word used in France and British-English speaking countries. In the 1920s, Italians brought zucchini back to America and it is a beloved summer squash all over the world.

In Hawaii’s temperate climate, zucchini grows pretty well all year round – but they’re in full force these summer months. This week, we’ve got an abundance of zucchini from Aloun Farms and they’re are as versatile as they are delicious!

Storage tips 

• Be gentle with zucchini! Any nicks and scratches can cause it to deteriorate quicker. 
• Fresh zucchini stores well up to a week in a cool, dry place.
• Frozen zucchini can store well for up to a year. Just slice, steam or boil for 3 minutes, and store in an airtight container.
• Only wash your zucchini right before using it.

Steam, boil, stew, bake, shred, grill, deep fry, stir-fry, or spiralize into noodles (zoodles) – there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy eating zucchini. Even the edible golden flower of this plant is a delicacy, usually eaten fried or stuffed. Zucchinis contain useful amounts of folate, potassium, and vitamin A, so you can feel good about eating them, too.

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We’ve got some beautiful, tasty Maui eggplant from Mahi Pono this week. What a treat! Mahi pono is working to transform former sugar cane fields in Central Maui into diversified agriculture. O’ahu Fresh has sourced crops like broccolini, potatoes, kale from Mahi Pono. But back to eggplant…

The name was first recorded in the 18th century, because of the white, egg-shaped varieties of this plant. It’s color and shape earned it the additional nicknames vegetable egg, and garden eggs. In more English and European countries, eggplants are also known as aubergine.

Eggplants are a member of the nightshade family, along with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and potatoes. Because of eggplant’s ability to absorb oils and flavors into its flesh through cooking it’s an eggs-cellent and useful ingredient in many dishes.

Storage tips

The sooner you use your eggplant, the better. It’s a delicate food that doesn’t store well for long periods of time. Eggplant is tropical in origin, so it does not bode well in extreme cold. Fifty degrees is an ideaI temperature. Store eggplant in a cool, dry area and if you can, avoid putting it in the refrigerator. If you must after a couple of days, wrap it in a paper towel and place it in the warmest section of the fridge. When storing cut eggplant – wrap it either in plastic, or put it in a glass container. To avoid oxidation, drizzle some lemon juice over the exposed flesh before storing it in the refrigerator.

Why we love Eggplants

Eggplants provide a good amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals in a few calories. They are high in anthocyanins, a pigment with antioxidant properties that can protect against cellular damage. It’s a versatile ingredient that’s easy to add into your diet. Try grilling, baking, braising or cooking and pureeing your eggplant into a dip!

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The tomatoes in this week’s bag are a variety pack from Ho Farms. Specialty tomatoes are their signature product and they grow over 9 varieties of the wonderful fruit! These tomatoes are hand-picked at the peak of ripeness and make their way to O’ahu Fresh the very next day. Most supermarket tomatoes are picked when green to survive the abuse and time of their long trip to market… but these are vine-ripened and ready to eat when they arrive in your box. Just another perk of eating local!

Aside from being rich in vitamins C, fiber and potassium, tomatoes contain lycopene, a carotenoid with potent antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties. All tomatoes can be classified by type: cherry, grape, beefsteak, plum (paste), slicing, and pear tomatoes based on their size, shape, and color.

Ho farms’ tomatoes are famous for their sweet flavor and crisp texture and are commonly eaten as a snack, used in salads as well as many other delicious recipes. Family tomatoes contain a combination of these varieties:

Name	Color	Shape	Texture and Taste
Golden Grape	Dazzling Gold	Elongated/Oval	Thick skin – Less water content – Extra crunchy – Sugary, sweet taste
Grape	Bright Red	Elongated/Oval	Sweet and crisp – Extra long shelf life
Cherry	Red-Orange	Round	Juicy with complex flavors – Initially tart but leaves a sweet aftertaste
Kahuku Golden	Gold Orange	Round	Fine texture – Sweet and light, almost a fruity flavor
Currant	Deep Red	Round	Sweet tomato flavor with a tart aftertaste
Baby Roma	Radiant Red	Elongated/Oval	Balanced flavor – Light taste

How to Store Tomatoes:

Tomatoes do not require refrigeration! Cooler temperatures can reduce flavors and cause mushiness, so keep fresh, uncut tomatoes in a cool place and consume them within 5 days. If you want to save them for a later time, freeze the tomatoes in freezer bags and use them for cooking when needed.

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Leeks are a humble allium – underrated but incredibly versatile! They’re native to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Historically, leeks were abundant in the Egyptian diet, and also grown in Mesopotamia. Even the Romans enjoyed them, and thought them to be superior to onions and garlic.

Leeks are related to garlic, chives, shallots, and onions. Thus, they add a sweet, mildly onion flavor to a range of dishes. You can use them to build flavor to start a recipe, as you do onions and shallots. Try them in soups, stews, pastas, and more! With a milder flavor than most alliums, you can even enjoy them on their own.

How to Prepare Leeks:

credit: Love and Lemons

Leeks can be boiled, roasted, sauteed, fried, grilled, or enjoyed raw. Here are some suggested cooking methods:

• Grill: Slice in half lengthwise, rinse and dry well,and grill both sides on medium-high until they’re well charred and tender. 
• Roast: Chop into 1-inch chunks according to above instructions. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes, or until tender. 
• Sautee: Warm olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally until softened – about 5 minutes. 
• Raw: Add to salads!

However you use your leeks, make sure not to overcook them as they can get mushy, or even slimy.

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