The short Israeli autumn is the time of annona.
The first rain that washed the garden brought the news of the autumn.
The beloved autumn, that washes the summer dust, opens a new season full of opportunities. Rejuvenating and refreshing the fields, the gardens and the streets. In our garden we already feel that the nights have cooled, that autumn is here and the greens are greener and juicier.
Our organic garden waited thirstily for the rain and we hope to see a lot of it and of the blessing that it brings with it much more this year…
The annona tree belongs to the family of the Annonaceae. It can be found in many parts of the world – Peru, Brazil, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Africa, India, South Florida and of course also in Israel. The tree is a deciduous tropical species, and stands naked during the winter. It is impressive at a height of 3-6 meters.
The annona is an exotic tropical fruit, with a particularly tempting and intriguing look. There are many species of annona. The most common are: the smooth annona and the scaly annona. In Israel, the common specie is their hybrid. And just as we Israelis are a good mixture of many species, so is our annona – a successful hybridization 🙂
The best growth conditions for the tree is in hot, humid tropical climate. The tree can withstand drought conditions – but will be significantly damage in case of frost. You can easily sprout an annona tree for home growing using the seeds that are inside the fruit – within a month you will be able to observe the young sprout that came to life. It is recommended to plant the annona during the spring. As mentioned, the fruit arrives to us in the fall. And since autumn is very short in Israel, the annona also is here for only a short period. It's a pity to miss it before it disappears with the winterJ. A ripe fruit can be kept out for up to two days or in the refrigerator, at the top where its not too cold for this subtropical plant, for about two weeks.
When to eat it – although it is one of a kind, you can check its ripeness somewhat like an avocado. Try to choose a fruit that is soft to the touch, but not too much and eat the fruit without the seeds that are poisonous …
Of course it is recommended for eating because of its special flavor and smell – something like a banana and pear put together in a custard texture, but not only. Organic annona also has a special and rich nutritional value:
The fruit is quite rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. Full of vitamins C, B. There are plenty of capsules based on annona extract to treat cancer, blood pressure, depression, stress, parasites and worms. The annona is considered to contribute to the process of nerve conduction and therefore contributes to situations of anxiety, attention deficit, memory problems, etc.
Annona is the answer to those who like a variety in the kitchen, and especially for you I have attached two organic annona recipes: one spicy and one sweet. But you can also just peel it and go out to the yard and savor the simplicity 🙂
The famous writer Mark Twain, whose book's heroes wandered all over the world and tasted the abundance of the land, stated that the annona was the perfect fruit on earth. I trust him and so should you J
May we have a successful "after the holidays" and full of renewal and optimism
To health!
Yours, the garden team and Maggie
We can expect, in our organic vegetable baskets (drafts only):
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
lettuce
Sweet potatoes
Potatoes
pumpkin
squash
Leeks
parsley
Hot peppers
In the large organic vegetable baskets, also:
Curly lettuce
eggplants
Swiss chard
Zucchinis
In our Organic fruit baskets:
Anonnas
Sweeties
Oranges
In the large organic fruits baskets also:
Pomegranates
Watermelon
Last mangoes
Also in the big organic vegetable baskets:
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
lettuce
Sweet potatoes
Potatoes
pumpkin
squash
Leeks
parsley
Hot peppers
