{"id":3399,"date":"2008-08-27T09:12:29","date_gmt":"2008-08-27T15:12:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145705.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=3399"},"modified":"2008-08-27T09:12:29","modified_gmt":"2008-08-27T15:12:29","slug":"untapped-abundance-three-steps-to-adopting-a-neighbors-fruit-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/untapped-abundance-three-steps-to-adopting-a-neighbors-fruit-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Untapped Abundance: Three Steps to Adopting a Neighbor\u2019s Fruit Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Lisa's<\/a>Pear pie. Pear ginger muffins. Pear cordials made from aging pears, sugar and vodka. Pears canned in sugar syrup. Pear jam.<\/p>\n

When Mary calls me every year at the end of August with her annual message of \u201cThe tree is ripe \u2013 come pick,\u201d I turn into the Bubba Gump of pears, gratefully using the four bushels of pears I harvest off her abundant backyard tree.<\/p>\n

As the country whines about escalating food prices, there\u2019s often rotten apples falling from some tree near you. Or pears, plums \u2013 name your fruit. You know the tree I\u2019m talking about \u2013 the one you pass by every day in someone\u2019s yard that is practically falling over with ripe fruit and you think to yourself, \u201cSomeone needs to do something with that.\u201d How true \u2013 and that \u201csomeone\u201d is you.<\/p>\n

Talk about a sustainable homerun: By connecting with and harvesting a local fruit tree, you not only garner more organic, fresh, local fruit booty than you know what to do with \u2013 and put something to use that would otherwise have gone to waste. You build community by connecting with others. We\u2019re talking community at its core, most sustainable essence, sharing abundance with others, relishing the gifts of the land.<\/p>\n

Step up to the plate \u2013 or bushel \u2013 and tap into these unwanted fruit on trees in backyards across the nation that could be making the world a better place through more pie \u2013 or jam or cobblers or muffins \u2013 you get the picture.<\/p>\n

Here are three tips for foraging a fruit tree near you:<\/p>\n

1. Approach<\/strong>
\nFind a tree and ask permission to pick the fruit. As most of these trees tend to be in backyards, traverse the alleyways to discover that rambling apple tree with branches drooping heavy with fruit over the yard fence.<\/p>\n

Seniors make great fruit tree adoption candidates as they typically appreciate the opportunity of such bounty, but are past the life stage of climbing ladders and trees. Don\u2019t be surprised if you get a reaction like, \u201cOh I\u2019ve been waiting for you\u201d from an area senior, thrilled to find an appreciative fruit picker. Post a flyer at the local senior center for more potential harvest opportunities. Remember these connections, particularly with seniors, go beyond produce exchange. With many seniors either shut-ins or living alone, your company and conversation goes a long way in making their day. Be sure to come prepared with empty buckets and bags for the fruit. Empty coolers work well, too, for hauling home the harvest.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t fall discouraged if your picking request receives a negative or hesitant \u201cwell, maybe you can take a few\u201d reply. An unfortunate consequence of our world today, people sometimes no longer know how to react to a \u201cfriendly stranger\u201d on their doorstep, so they react with fear. Be thankful for whatever is given, and move on till you find a friendly face.<\/p>\n

2. Appreciate<\/strong>
\nOnce you bring the fruit home, use it or you\u2019ll loose it. Make sure you have time that day to process the fruit, complete with a plan on what you want to make with the necessary ingredients on hand a ready to go. There’s nothing worse than running out of sugar when making jam.<\/p>\n

First, go through your buckets and divide the fruit into three categories:
\n* Use immediately (i.e. very ripe or with damaged sections you need to cut out)
\n* Great to eat (perfect, unblemished)
\n* Let ripen (Needs some curing time, such as waiting for hard green pears to soften and yellow a bit).<\/p>\n

Once divided, work through the \u201cuse immediately\u201d booty right away.<\/p>\n

One sweet consequence of tapping into these abandoned fruit trees is the fruit is often organic as no one sprayed the tree with anything, much less pesticides.<\/p>\n

3. Return<\/strong>
\nExpress thanks for this fruit gift by bringing some goodies back to the folks who owned the tree. Seniors light up when someone stops by with baked goods. Take your time and don\u2019t rush to your next destination. If someone invites you in to share some of your own pie together over a cup of coffee, say yes. If you\u2019re lucky, this may be the start of an on-going annual connection \u2013 and friendship.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to make pie, might as well make two. It doesn\u2019t require much additional work, you already have plenty of fruit that needs to be used and you can fuel the good karma fruit cycle by giving the second pie away in gratitude. This recipe is from our B&B cookbook, Edible Earth: Savoring the Good Life with Vegetarian Recipes from Inn Serendipity<\/a>, which also includes other pear favorites inspired by Mary and John\u2019s bounty, such as Pear Ginger Muffins and Pear Cordial.<\/p>\n

Pear Crumb Pie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Crust Ingredients:<\/strong><\/em>
\n1 1\/3 c. all-purpose flour
\n\u00bd t. salt
\n\u00bd c. butter (1 stick)
\n2 to 3 T. cold water<\/p>\n

Filling Ingredients:<\/strong><\/em>
\n\u00bd c. brown sugar, firmly packed
\n2 T. cornstarch
\n\u00bd t. ground cinnamon
\n\u00bc t. ground ginger
\n1\/8 t. salt
\nDash ground nutmeg
\n6 c. thinly sliced, peeled pears
\n1 T. lemon juice<\/p>\n

Topping Ingredients:<\/strong><\/em>
\n2\/3 c. all-purpose flour
\n1\/3 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
\n1\/3 c. cold butter (5 1\/3 T.)<\/p>\n

Directions:<\/strong><\/em>
\n* In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Sprinkle with water; toss until mixture is moist enough to shape into a ball.
\n* On a floured surface, roll out pastry and fit into a buttered 9-in. pan.
\n* Combine filling ingredients; spoon into crust.
\n* Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.
\n* For topping, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Bake 40 minutes longer.
\n* Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning if necessary.<\/p>\n

Serves 8.<\/p>\n

Related Posts:
\nA True Campaign for Change: Five Tips to Stir Up the Local Foods Movement in Your Community<\/a>
\nNo Gardening Required: Five Tips to be a Local Foods Forager<\/a>
\nFree Food: Grazing for Local Greens in the Lawn<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Lisa Kivirist<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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