Those frequent readers of the Struan Farm blog and followers of our FB page and Twitter and Insta feeds will know that during the Level 4 Covid-19 lockdown I've been busy. Busy trying to use the autumn abundance from our orchard fruit and walnut trees.
I continue to be amazed by the sheer volume of fruit and nuts just one tree produces. Truth be told I'm barely coping. I miss being able to share our surplus with the community via the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand, which has closed temporarily due to the national emergency and health crisis.
So far I've made apple butter, many batches of apple crumbles, apple turnovers, Jamie Oliver's Orchard Eve's pudding (with apples and quince), and shortcakes with a combination of apples, figs, and feijoas. We've got a big freezer in the garage that is almost at capacity. There are empty freezers in the Homestead and Cottage that I'll take over if needed, since this surplus can't be wasted. We are managing to deliver bags to neighbours and friends. John drops bags at gates when he does his weekly run to the dairy.
But here's my challenge:
Monty continues to be laden with huge, beautiful apples!
Hopefully once we get through lockdown there will still be some we can share with local foodbanks and the community stand. I know, this isn't a problem in the current scheme of things. I thank those trees every day.
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