That's a HOT tomato!
 
After last week's cooler temperatures it seems that milder weather had settled in ... then this week happened.  Most of us can flip on the air conditioning and ignore it.  The farmers and vegetables can't, though, and there's been an extended hot, dry period this growing season.  How to store those veggies that survived the heat?

Try storing your tomatoes on the counter stem side down.  Cook's Illustrated discovered that they can last up to a week!  Greens should be stored in the vegetable drawer of the fridge.  Most of them do best with a slightly damp paper towel wrapped around them inside the plastic bag.  Basil can be kept for up to a week like flowers in a jar or vase of cool water on the kitchen counter.  Give the stems a fresh cut every couple of days and it will make your kitchen smell nice, too!
 
If you can't blanch your corn as soon as you bring it home, make sure to refrigerate it to prevent the sugars from converting to starch.  Potatoes can be kept in a brown paper bag in a cool, dark place.  Green beans should be stored in the refrigerator, as well as summer squashes and cucumbers.  Winter squash, on the other hand, can be stored in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry.
 
The Ohio State Extension service suggests storing ripe pears in the refrigerator.  If you've brought ripe apples home, store them in a bowl on the kitchen counter for a week or in the refrigerator for longer storage.  Store ripe peaches in the refrigerator, but bring them to room temperature before eating.
 
This week we'll have our book/history discussion at Gabby's Cafe at 8pm-a great place to discuss The History of the World in Six Glasses.  The "Six Glasses" include beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca Cola.  Did you know that rum spurred the first 'global economy'?

From the Farms this week:
Backyard Orchards - Pears, asian pears, apples, and fruit butters & jams. 
Branstrator Farm - White and yellow peaches, cherry tomatoes, corn and jams.
Mohr Animal Acres - Farm fresh eggs, a variety of cuts of grass-fed beef and Berkshire pork, whole and cut-up chicken, and goat's milk soaps and lotions.   
RJ Veggies - Cranberry beans, corn, peppers (hot and sweet varieties), tomatoes, eggplant, new potatoes, cucumbers, okra, cabbage, summer squash, winter squash,and maybe some green beans.
That Guy's Family Farm - Certified Organic Sweet corn, arugula, mini turnips greens, basil bunches, assorted sweet and hot peppers, 5 potato varieties, wheat bread, and flower bouquets.