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2 Pick of the Crop, Supplement of The Canadian Statesman/Independent, July, 1994 Watson Farms Celebrating 25 Years in the Berry Business by Lorraine Manfredo It's tiie kind of view that might have inspired the old Beatles tune, "Strawberry Fields Forever." Rows of green, dotted with red,' stretch toward a hill on the horizon under a brilliant blue sky. A wagon awaits you at Watson Farms on Hwy Two. The farm air is fresh and warm and carries the promising scent of berries. As you bend to fill your basket, visions of shortcake dance in your head. Strawberry season at Ted Watson's Watson's 20-acre strawberry patch officially officially began on June 27th. The first picks are a little lighter, Watson says, but a hot day or two always brings the berries to juicy ripeness. Accurately predicting when to open his gates to pick-your-own fans is chancy, even for a farmer with 25 years' experience. Each summer the timing is different, he says, but he knows the time is near when his phone starts ringing off the hook with callers eager to get their pickings in. "Two years ago, we started strawberry picking on June 21st. Last year it was colder, so we opened later than that, and I remem ber on the second or third day of strawberries it turned hotter than a firecracker and the raspberries ripened ripened on the 14th day of strawberries!" strawberries!" That's worthy of note because raspberries are generally expected to ripen around the 18th,day of strawberries. strawberries. But unforeseen changes in the weather can cause them to grow as much in 12 days as they do in 19, Watson says. Watson doesn't listen to his bones or watch the clouds to tell the weather; he listens to the Environment Environment Canada Weather station on the radio when it isn't being nudged off its frequency by a Rochester weather weather channel. Sometimes, depending on the forecast, Watson will cover an acre with cheesecloth fabric to bring on the berries a little sooner. Strawberry season will last about five weeks, with the most prolific picks during the first two weeks. Generally, cool temperatures cause the berries to grow, while the heat ripens them. Even the briefest heat wave can knock a whole week off the waiting. While apples are the biggest crop at Watson Farms, strawberries are a close second. There are also seven acres of raspberries. The public is invited to pick all three in season. Watson's 22-year-old son, Paul, and wife, Georgina, help run the op^ eration. Paul has recently graduated from Guelph University with a degree degree in agriculture. In the days leading up to the harvest, harvest, the Watsons and nine seasonal workers are busy weeding the orchard, orchard, staking new bushes, and hitching up the wagon to the tractor. Ted Watson's home farm was originally on the northwest comer of Strawberry Recipes t. *.«».* *"V * * Ted Watson, owner of Watson Farms just west of Bowmanville on Hwy. Two, smiles as he inspects his ripening berry crop. Watson Farms celebrates its 25th year of operations this summer. There are still a few weeks of pick your own strawberries to go and raspberries should be ready mid July. Fast, fun ideas for berry pickers Today's best dressed berry recipes recipes can look and taste positively decadent, yet be surprisingly light in calories and fat. Dipping into a bowl of berries crowned with a cloud of luscious taste can indeed be a guiltless snack -- when you use new COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping. Compared to the traditional berry topper, whipped cream, four tablespoons of COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping served with a cup of strawberries provides only 90 calories calories and a mere 3.1 g fat. This same dessert served with an equal amount of whipped cream has 10 g fat and 145 calories. Here are some quick and easy treats that combine those fresh berries berries and COOL WHIP Light. Mixed Berry Fruit Salad -- Toss 1/2 cup (125 mL) sliced strawberries with 1/2 cup (125 mL)'raspberries, blueberries or other fresh fruit and arrange on a serving dish. Top with 2 tbsp (25 mL) COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping. Makes I serving. Luscious Dip -- Gently stir 1 tbsp (15 mL) chocolate syrup into 1 cup (250 mL) COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping. Serve with fresh berries for dipping. For a Double Berry Dip use some of your homemade strawberry jam in place of the chocolate syrup. Berry Good Waffles -- Toast your favorite waffles; top with fresh homemade jam and a generous generous dollop of COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping. Easy Berry Shakes -- Puree 1 cup (250 mL) strawberries or raspberries raspberries in a blender with 1/3 cup (75 mL) plain yogourt and sugar or honey, to taste. Add a generous spoonful of COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping and blend 10 seconds. The whipped topping makes the shake thick and extra tasty. And, of course, you'll want to garnish it with a strawberry and an extra dollop of whipped topping. topping. Cool Angel Cake -- Crush strawberries and sweeten to taste with honey. Spoon over angel food cake slices and top with COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping. Strawberry Cookie Torte No one need know that this decadent decadent dessert can be made in minutes using purchased cookies as the layers. Be sure to slice the strawberries strawberries Very thinly - 1/8 in. (3 mm) would be about right. 2 cups (500 mL) whipping cream 1/4 cup (50 mL) icing sugar 3 tsp (45 mL) orange-flavoured liqueur 1 tbsp (15 mL) grated orange rind 4 cups (1L) Ontario Strawberries, . washed, hulled and thinly sliced 1 pkg. (400 g) coconut-flavored rectangular sugar cookies or rectangular Social Teas In a large deep mixing bowl,; whip cream; fold in' icing sugar; liqUéur and orange rind. Cover and refrigerate. refrigerate. Line 9 x 5 in. (2L) loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing overhang. Set about half the whipped cream and half the strawberries aside for garnish. garnish. Arrange 4 cookies on bottom of pan, spreading each with about 1 tbsp (15 mL) whipped cream mixture. Repeat with another layer of cookies and whipped cream, breaking cookies where necessary to fill gaps. Top with some of the strawberries and whipped cream mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top with cookies. Fold plastic overhang over torte and press down firmly. Wrap completely completely in plastic wrap and weigh down with heavy weight (tin can). Refrigerate 4 hr. or overnight. Using plastic wrap as handles, unmould onto serving platter. Ice with reserved reserved whipped cream. Garnish top and base with reserved berries. Cut with serrated knife to serve. Serves 8. Preparation Time: 25 min. Standing Time: 4 hr. to overnight. Nutritional Information: 1 Serving: Protein: 5.0 grams Fat: 30.0 grams Carbohydrates: 46.5 grams Calories: 476. Strawberry Tortoni This light, semi-frozen dessert is perfect after a rich meal. 2 cups (500 mL) Ontario Strawber ries, hulled and washed 1 cup (250 mL) whipping cream 2 egg whites 1/2 cup (125 mL) coarse amaretti emmbs (about 11 amaretti biscuits) 1/2 cup (125 mL) slivered almonds 1/3 cup (75 mL) icing sugar 2 tbsp (25 mL) amaretto liqueur Save 6 perfect strawberries for garnish. Purée remaining berries in food processor or using potato masher; masher; set aside. In deep mixing bowl, whip cream. In separate bowl, beat egg whites until until stiff; fold into whipped cream. Fold in amaretti crumbs. Toast almonds almonds on baking sheet in 350°F (180°C) oven about 15 min. or until golden brown; let cool. Fold 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the almonds almonds into whipped cream mixture along with icing sugar, amaretto and puréed strawberries. Spoon into small dishes or fancy muffin papers. Freeze about 2 hr. until partially frozen but not solid. (May be frozen overnight, then partially defrosted for about 2 hr. in refrigerator before serving.) Garnish each dish with reserved berry berry and sprinkling of remaining almonds. almonds. Serves 6. Preparation Time: 20 min. Freezing Time: about 2 hr. Nutritional Information: 1 Serving: Protein: 5.5 grams Fat: 23.0 grams Carbohydrates: 22.0 grams Calories: 317. ' STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD Serves 4 1L (4 cups) fresh spinach, washed, dried 250 mL (1 cup) Strawberries, washed, stemmed and quartered 2 mL (1/2 tsp.) each, salt and pepper 125 mL (1/2 cup) salad dressing, cole slaw, mayonnaise OR your choice of dressing In a large salad bowl, tear spinach into bite-size pieces. Add strawberries: strawberries: toss lightly with dressing; season to taste. Hwy. 57 where the Bowmanville Recreation Complex now stands. Part of a packing house operation to the south of Hwy. 2 still stands. When the first farm was expropriated, expropriated, Watson moved to his present location where he launched his Pick-your-own venture. The family celebrates its 25th anniversary anniversary of pick-your-own berries this summer. "The popularity of pick-your- own crops peaked about ten years ago," Watson says. "Since then, it's more or less maintained its appeal." While his parking lot fills easily with families looking for a fun and educational outing for their kids, the sales per customer have declined, he admits. "People don't freeze as many berries, they aren't making jam to the same extent and they aren't cooking in such large quantities." For pickers he offers these tips; - handle the berries carefully - refrigerate them; don't just store them in a cool comer of the basement. "Strawberries keep twice as long at 32 degrees than they do at 40, and probably double that at 50 degrees. Most fridges are set at around 40." - if you're not planning to freeze them, eat your berries within the week. Watson Farms provides recipe ideas and also features a children's playground, straw maze and other entertainment for kids. Watson grows at least three varieties varieties of strawberries each season, stacking the odds that at least one will produce a bumper crop. Staple varieties are. V-star, MicMac and Kent, each with their respective ad- ; vantage's ; in ' certain ' weather. Although Although the past winter was difficult, it did not do irreparable harm to the berry fields. Test plots of new strains are also cultivated at Watson's. Unlike tomatoes, tomatoes, however, genetic engineering for strawberries is not a pressing issue issue for scientists, he adds. Watson Farms are located on the south side of Hwy. 2 east of Maple Grove Road. For information about picking times call: 623-7252 Pingle's Farm Market Strawberries U PICK : ; f: w >e*> - s. nc - : w or Ready Picked Farm Fresh and waiting for You! RASPBERRIES ARE ALMOST READY - Mid July Visit our Market Garden for Quality Fresh Produce. FRESH BAKED PIES AND TARTS COMING IN AUGUST • Sweet Corn • Tomatoes • Peppers • Pickling Cucumbers PINGLE'S FARM MARKET © Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 1805 Taunton Rd. E., Hampton 725-6089 i£ Taunton Rd. T> DC >, c C 3 Courtlce Hwy. #2. ■ flneU'e TQ/Farm £ Market "O E nJ X Hwy. 401 <D O ■e 5 4-Oshawa O 1,11 #ii « i i i • « i « « • i i • i • # i Vi » i « i i • v»\ I l f