Pumpkins, cucumbers and pickles?

So what does cucumbers and pickles have to do with pumpkins? Nothing really, but when you have a farm, it just might be related. At least that is the case with the Long and Scott Farm in Zellwood, Florida. We went there to get fresh corn and some pumpkins. Loved this sign that greets you.

Various places displayed pumpkins for sale as well as other farm vegetables. 

 

They had hay rides, picnic areas and even a corn maze. 

All seemed quite normal until we looked over to see all of these trucks filled with cucumbers. 

I had to get a closer view – despite the fact that it says “No one beyond this point”. Well, I was too fascinated to obey the sign and wanted to see what they were doing. Bad girl!! I even weaved myself in between the trucks for a better view.
  
As I was heading back to the market area, my husband was there just shaking his head. One of the farm guides came over and was kind enough to give us some history of the farm.

They have two harvest seasons – April through May and mid September to the end of November. He also said that they process about 6,000 bushels of cucumbers a day during the season. The cucumbers are only touched once – when they are picked. This keeps them from being bruised. They raise Kirby cucumbers that have a thicker skin that makes them great for pickles.

Each truck load is driven to the appropriate spot. Next, water is poured over the cucumbers in the truck. 

This allows the cucumbers to float off the bottom of the truck and onto the conveyor belt. 

It was difficult to get a good picture of the conveyor belt. I'm surprised I was allowed to get any pictures at all. The conveyor belt is above the blue barrel.

The cucumbers are shipped to various plants where they are processed and bottled by Claussen Pickle Co., United Pickle Products, Mt. Olive Pickles, Puckered Pickle, Chipico/Vienna Beef, Strub Brothers, and many mom-and-pop companies in the Northeast and Chicago.

The Long and Scott farm also contribute food to neighbors. This sign was posted on their door outside the cafe.

We were so fascinated with the cucumbers that we forgot about buying pumpkins and only came home with corn.

Oh, well, we still have time to get some pumpkins. The history lesson was worth it.

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