The long squash is very similar to zucchini and it is grown in warm climates.  Long squash has a mild flavor which becomes increasingly bitter as it matures.

Preparation

Always wash your squash before preparing. Dry with a clean cloth.

If you are going to use the whole thing, cut in half lengthwise.  Remove seeds.  You can use a veggie peeler to remove the skin.  It is pretty easy to cut in desired size pieces.

If you are going to use just a section at a time, cut horizontally.  Cover with plastic cling wrap (a rubber band helps too) the end of the part you are not going to be cooking with and store in the refrigerator.  Remove seeds and peel skin, cut into desired pieces.

Long squash will take on a translucent quality when it is thoroughly cooked.

Long squash contains a lot of water and this may translate into your dish.

Steam or add to soups, curries, stews.

Farms that grow Long Squash

Ho Farms

Recipes

Originally from Africa, okra is now widely used in cuisines such as Caribbean, Creole, Cajun and Indian. It is a warm-season vegetable and essential crop in many countries due to its high nutritional value. Ridged along its length, the green, slightly fuzzy pod contains rows of edible seeds that release a sticky liquid when chopped and cooked. This has led to it being used to thicken soup and stew recipes such as Cajun gumbo, but it’s also served whole as a side dish. Okra’s flavor is quite subtle, so it benefits from being cooked with strong, spicy ingredients!

Storage

Keep okra dry and store in the crisper drawer in a paper or plastic container to stop it from becoming slimy or moldy. Avoid washing it until you are ready to use it. Use within 3-4 days.

Preparation

Wash and dry. If you are serving the okra whole as a side dish, and don’t want the liquid to be released during the cooking, trim around the stalks in a cone shape, so that the pod isn’t pierced. If you do want to release the liquid, chop or slice thickly or thinly, according to your recipe.

Farms that grow Okra

Ho Farms

Recipes 

Grilled Okra and Tomato Skewers 

Sauteed Okra and Tomatoes

The cherry tomato, introduced in the 1970s, is one of the smallest fruits of the tomato family, and, as its name indicates, is generally the size of a cherry. Their sweet taste and ease of use make cherry tomatoes a great complement to pastas, salads, and other dishes, but they also work well as a main ingredient. Though available year-round, cherry tomatoes can be grown and stored at home with relatively little effort.

Preparation

 

Farms that grow Cherry Tomatoes

Pacific Gateway Center 

Recipes 

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes 

Sauteed Okra & Cherry Tomaotes