Several times a year I yearn to head out to the local farm and pick my own produce. We're fortunate to live in a region famous for its abundance of locally grown produce, the envy of the rest of the country and the world. Having had the opportunity to live in various parts of the US and Europe, I've seen some photo worthy produce the likes of which elicit dreams in food stylists. I've also frequented supermarkets across our abundant nation and strolled through the produce section only to find a wasteland of russet potatoes, bitter chapped skinned carrots, mealy apples, wilted spinach and some peppers that have seen better days.Did you know that less than an hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area lies some of the best produce for a fraction of the cost of the stuff at the supermarket? Better yet, make a short trip and learn how your food is grown and harvested.
This past weekend, Ruthie and I drove out to Brentwood to pick stone fruit (peaches and plums). Some of the best stone fruit is ripe for harvest from late July to early August. Ruthie was possessed by a Bon Apetit Recipe for peach jam and I just needed some warmth and the opportunity to put my hands on some late summer peaches. I was teased by an email from Wolfe Ranch billing their seasonal celebrity; Fay Elberta Peaches.
When I left San Francisco it was a dismal 58 degrees, grey and cold. By the time we pulled into Wolfe's orchard it was 85 and sunny blue skies. We sat on the tailgate of my Prius and had a yummy light lunch of chicken arugula sandwiches from the Boulangerie before heading into the orchard. The peach trees were heavily laden with rose blushed golden orbs that filled the air with the sweet aroma of peaches.
Memories of French Peach Liqueur came wafting back from a vacation in the Languedoc. We strolled from tree to tree searching for that perfect peach. I picked what appeared to be a hard peach off the burdened branch. The fruit was covered with a carpet of peach fuzz. While I desperately wanted to plunge into this still breathing fruit, I knew the results would not be as rewarding as I expected. I spent then next two minutes ridding the peach of it's wall to wall carpet of fuzz before sinking my teeth into the sweet fruit. The flesh was surprisingly dry, I'm used to peach juice dripping down my chin and hand. Nonetheless, the flavor was hypnotic. It had a long finish that was very floral. We then explored the orchard further to find the ribboned off cling peach trees. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the difference between Cling and Freestone peaches. I've provided a definition. A cling stone fruit is one where you take a knife and cut the peach around its circumference all the way to the pit or stone and then attempt to twist the two haves apart and more flesh is left on the pit. A freestone fruit will easily separate leaving only the pit and no flesh. While I admit I'm romanced by free stone fruit, the flavor of a cling peach is equally flirtatious. If only it were easier to eat and maneuver around the pit.
Right next to the cling peaches we discovered a few rows of Black Friar Plums. The trees were almost psychedelic with their dark green shiny leaves and deep purple plums kissed with a crystalline diamond frost chemise. I couldn't wait to pluck only a few Black Beauties from the trees. Of course we had to try the plum to confirm that they lived up to their glossy publicity. They were firm and inside it's amethyst skin lay a slightly tart sweet light chartreuse flesh.
One of the problems with U-Picks is quantity control. Not surprisingly, you pick more than you could ever consume. Insert community, friends and family. Ruthie is a very directed picker with the laser guided intent to make a batch of jam. I on the other hand can only hope to provide fresh fruit for my family and friends upon my return. I might get around to a simple peach galette or peach tart. I picked 15 lbs. of fruit yesterday not to mention the enticing bucket of peaches I coveted from Arata's Fruit Stand.
Plan a trip to your local farms and meet the farmers who live in harmony with the earth and bring forth some of the best produce on earth.
2 comments:
This is the most beautifully written piece, I felt like I was there with you and Ruthie snacking on simple sandwiches and selecting only the best peaches. Jam, fruit tarts or just this simple taste of fresh picked fruit while sitting in the sun. Can't wait to see where you go picking next or will it be oysters by the bay?
We all should be so lucky! I want to go pick too. So well written and made me want to fly to Ca. right away.
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