I needed an uncommon yellow fruit to complete a botanical illustration. I remembered starfruit from a trip to Hawaii but could not find any in the grocery store. So I had to order a small box from an on-line retailer. I only needed one for the drawing. What to do with the other ripe fruit? This recipe includes many of my favorite flavors and ingredients. Candied ginger compliments starfruit in more ways than one.

Gluten Free Starfruit Cake

Preheat over to 350.

In a large bowl add and mix together……..

1/4 cup hydrated (if need be) and coarsely chopped Golden Berries or substitute golden raisins.

1/4 coarsely chopped candied ginger

1/2 cup of sugar

2 eggs

1 cup of blanched and coarsely chopped starfruit with “peel” on but seeds removed

1/2 cup of milk

Set the bowl aside

In a another bowl add…

1 cup of rice flower

1 cup of almond flour

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tsp of baking powder

1 tsp of baking soda

1 pinch of cardamon powder

Sift your dry ingredients into the “wet” bowl. Mix lightly with a wooden spoon until everything is well combined.

Grease, flour (or use parchment paper) a larger springform cake pan. You can use any cake pan but since this is a dense moist cake I do not recommend a loaf pan.

Bake for 35-45 minutes. Let cool before removing. Decorate with powdered sugar or thinned royal icing.

Zingiber is the aromatic rootstock of a perennial plant that grows in the tropics. It is very common and easy to find in most grocery stores worldwide. It can be cultivated or found in the wild. The rootstock is thick, fibrous, and light tan colored. It grows in a finger like/branched formation. As it creeps the root can become quite large, often palm sized. Ginger produces a simple stem wrapped by layers of long, narrow, lance shaped, alternate arranged leaves. It can grow almost four feet high. As the green leaves mature and separate from the stem they can measure 6-12 inches long . Sterile yellow/white flowers with purple streaks grow on short dense spikes. You will often see images for “red ginger”confused with Zingiber officinale. They are not the same plant. Ginger likes partial shade and moist, fertile soil.

Ginger has a “heating action”. It stimulates digestion, perspiration, and breastmilk production. Historically this herb has been used internally to treat colic, gas, bloating, indigestion, nausea/morning sickness, suppressed menstruation, the flu, headache, sore throat, laryngitis, vertigo, blot clots, , colds, cough, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, poor circulation and heart disease. Many herbalists use it to reduce inflammation. Fresh ginger being preferred for respiratory conditions and dried ginger for digestive complaints. Externally this plant has been used to treat, pain, migraines, chills, muscle soreness, congestion, asthma, athletes foot, arthritic joints, and weak kidneys.

Energetics:pungent, sweet, bitter, warm, dry

Element:fire

Contraindications:ulcers, acid stomach, inflammatory/heat conditions. Anticoagulant drugs like Coumadin or aspirin. Although commonly used for morning sickness, use only very low doses in pregnancy. Do not use during childbirth, especially when there is a risk of heavy bleeding.

This is my first year for growing ground cherries in the the garden. I was surprised at the size of the plants and that I had a bumper crop. I have tried to grow starts indoors from seed in years past, but never had good luck. I purchased 2 plants from a local nursery and had more than enough fruit for my needs. I think our investment in excellent soil and a location in the sun all day really helped too. Ground cherries are in the nightshade family. Imagine a large tomato plant that trails all over the ground instead of being held vertical in a cage. It was my first year for eating a ground cherry too. They are like a round golden grape in a paper husk. The taste is a bit like a tomato but more tart than acidic, a bit sweeter, with hints of some kind of tropical fruit. Ground cherries can be substituted in recipes that call for tomatoes or firm fruit. The following recipe is best when made from very fresh ingredients and consumed within 24 hours of making. Honestly this pico de gallo is so good that I pretty much ate it all by myself in one sitting just paired with chips. It goes well with shrimp or other fish in something like a simple taco.

Ground Cherry Pico De Gallo

2 TBSP of finely diced onion

1 medium orange tomato diced

2/3 cup of diced ground cherries

1 small mild green pepper finely diced

Pinch of dried coriander seeds

Pinch of mild red chile seeds

Pinch of cumin powder’

Salt and pepper to taste

1-2 TBSP of finely diced fresh oregano leaves

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Origanum spp.

As a member of the mint family Origanum/wild marjoram has its own aromatic essential oils. It is a common perennial found all over the world. Lots of small, ovate shaped, gray/green leaves grow oppositely on a single, downy, square stem (sometimes purplish). These are dotted with very small depressions. This plant grows about 24 inches high. Numerous, tiny ,two lipped white flowers ( with pink or purple tints) grow on erect, terminal clusters. Oregano often appears to grow as a bush shaped patch. It will thrive in just about any soil, tolerates drought, and prefers full sun.

Many older classic herbals leave this herb out as it is more known for culinary use in the US. If you wish to dig deep into the medicinal uses of Oregano you might consider resources originating from Hispanic cultures and countries. Here you will see it used for “cold invasion” or a more bile/pitta constitution. Oregano is gaining more popularity in the west for its antiseptic/antiviral and vasodilating properties. Historically this plant has been used to treat childhood illnesses, headaches, the flu, fever, colds, bronchitis, and asthma. It may help with digestive issues such as colic, gas, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and parasites. Some herbalists have used it for problems related to menstruation, cramps, headaches, earache, insomnia, inflammation and high cholesterol. Externally it is used as a liniment, poultice, or compress for sprains, injuries, swelling, pain, itchy skin, animal or insect bites/stings, dizziness, and bruising. When inhaled as steam it can help clear and open the lungs, relieving a bad cough. In Hispanic cultures oregano is a popular remedy for conditions of a “spiritual” nature where it might be used in a ritual spray, bath or cleansing.

Energetics:pungent, bitter, warm, dry

Element: air

Contraindications: avoid all but culinary use during pregnancy

Lavender is in bloom all over town. If you don’t have it your yard I bet you have neighbor who does. Lavender is known for its amazing aromatic smell which can give baked goods a subtle floral flavor. I have an overabundance of summer squash this year and I am not a particular fan of this “vegetable”. I don’t like to waste anything and have been searching the internet for recipes to use it up. This cake was amazing and disappeared quickly in my house. It was very moist , the squash pretty much melts and leaves behind a great texture that is not dry or mushy. If you are a gluten free baker you know that getting a satisfying baked good can be a challenge. This simple recipe also does not require a lot of special additives that you may not have on hand.

Lemon, Lavender, Squash Recipe

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grease and flour or line with parchment paper 1-2 cake or loaf pans. I did one standard round cake pan and make 5 extra cupcakes

In a large metal bowl cream together with a hand mixer.

1 cup of softened, unsalted butter or substitute

1 tsp of almond extract

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

1 and 1/2 cups of granulated sugar.

Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon

1-2 tsp of powdered dried lavender flowers

One at a time add in 3 eggs and continue to mix.

In a medium metal bowl add…..

3 cups of flour (1 cup almond, 1 cup brown rice, and 1 cup buckwheat)

1 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp of baking soda

1 tsp of salt

1 TBSP of poppy seeds

Sift the dry ingredient into the larger bowl and mix well.

Fold in….

2 cup of shredded yellow summer squash

Fill and level your prepared pans

Bake at 325 for -60 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean

Let cool, run a knife around the rim and invert

You can ice or dust with powdered sugar

Will store in a covered tin on the counter or fridge for a up to a week

 Latin name: Lavandula (there are lots of species). Family: Laminacea (mint family). Lavender is an evergreen perennial shrub that can grow 1-4 ft high. Typically it appears as a smaller singular plant but in the right conditions it will spread and expand to fill a larger space. The entire herb is covered in a grayish down. At this time of year the plant shoots up a flowers in the form of a terminal spikes. The highly scented purple flowers form a group on the tip of their personal stalk. The narrow leaves are sparsely arranged oppositely on the square stem, often clustered at the base of the plant when not in bloom. Lavender can be very easy to grow in many climates especially when given well drained, poor, sandy soil and full sun. Lavender is not native to the United States. It is very popular with bees and butterflies. The smell is the best way to remember this herb. Rub any part of it between your hands and smell your palms.

Lavender’s pure essential oil is a great remedy for burns, cuts, tight muscles, rheumatism, edema, eczema, hair loss, acne, fungal infections, earache, cold sores, and insect bites/stings. This plant contains numerous volatile oils, many of which are powerful anti-microbials. It was used in WW 2 for wounds and parasites. It was burned for bubonic plague to prevent the spread of the disease. Steam inhalations, baths, and infusions have been used to treat chest infections, asthma, dizziness, insomnia, digestive issues, colic, fever, colds, flu, strep, yeast, vaginal infections, bad breath, muscle spasms, headaches, fear, earaches, eczema, acne, burns, cold sores, edema, rheumatism, hair lossatigue, stress and anxiety. Lavender has a history of being present at birth and death because of its calming nature. The flowers are edible and can be used in baked goods, and other sweets. You will find this herb in many gifts and beauty products. 

Energetics:bitter, pungent, sweet, cooling, dry

Element:air

Parts used:flowers. Leaves and stalks can be used for incense

 Contraindications: During pregnancy. Do not use the essential oil internally. Do your research on using the pure EO on a frequent basis externally (including in creams and shampoos).