I had lived in Los Angeles for a very long time and had never considered all of the fruit that grew on trees around as something to pick. Then when Hollywood Orchard, a community run non-profit that had fruit picking and processing events I became very familiar with all types of fruit that grows in my area. Even in a drought fruit trees in a tiny neighborhood can still produce thousands of pounds of fruit. This past month has been loquat season and I joined other “Orchardists” for picking, processing, bottling and labeling loquats and loquat infused liqour. Amazing chef Mihn Phan had created a recipe for loquat Salsa that was incredibly tasty.

Loquat Salsa: Cilantro, diced onions, lemons juiced, loquats (peeled and chopped), diced red peppers, diced hot green peppers, and salt).