Hot Lava

I was looking at images of lava flows for an art project with the third grade students and I kept coming across a drink called a 'lava flow' http://gohawaii.about.com/od/drinks/r/lava_flow.htm

I thought that when persimmons came into season that we could make a non alcoholic version with persimmon puree.  I used a combination of coconut milk, frozen bananas and purple sweet potato for the top or 'hot ash'.  The bottom was just pureed hatchiya persimmons. Students used a straw to pull up the hot lava and then drank it.  A lot of fun and a great connection from our garden and the third grade science unit.

Summer/Fall Fruit Salad

We made fruit salad with the addition of herbs from the garden.  We had Pineapple Mint, Lemon Balm and Stevia.  Students could choose any combination of fruit and herbs to make their own signature fruit salad.  The fruit choices were Figs, Apples, Grapes, Watermelon, Honeydew, Persimmons and Limes.  At least half the students ate figs for the first time and quite a few also had their first taste of persimmon.

Nectarine Jicama Salsa

We were lucky to use the first Passion Fruit of the season from the Peralta Gardens. We included the juice in a Nectarine and Jicama Salsa.  The recipe as usual is more guidelines then exact amounts.  Use what you have and tastes the way you like.

2 White Nectarines (Peaches or Yellow Nectarines are fine also)
1 Cup Jicama
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
1 or 1/2 Jalapeño Pepper
2 Tablespoons Chopped Cilantro
1 Tablespoon Passion Fruit Pulp or Juice
Salt to taste

Cut the Nectarines and Jicama into small pieces.  Mix everything together and enjoy.