Sorry to interrupt your day but this message is brief: You can now pick your own watermelons.
You can also buy local, fresh watermelon at certain farmers markets in the area, but at Peace Valley Winery, you can pick-your watermelons as the fields open today, August 3 at 10 am. The price is the same as last year, $3 each if you pick them out of the field, and $4 each if you pick from the stand.
Remember: Not every watermelon in the field is ready for picking. Peace Valley Winery said that people cut the watermelons open in the field every year to see if they are ripe. Refrain from doing this if you are picking-your-own, since it’s just a waste of a good watermelon!
This is how you can tell if a watermelon is ready or not:
The above watermelon is not ripe. Below is a watermelon that is ripe. You might be knocking on the watermelons in the supermarket to see if they are good to go, but when you pick-your-own, the best way to tell is by looking at the stem. If the tendril located where the watermelon attaches to the stem looks dead and dried, then the watermelon should be ripe.
I personally have been excited for watermelon. It’s pretty versatile, and it dresses up everything from a good summer cocktail to a light and refreshing dinner salad. If you want to try a new watermelon hack, try out these ideas. My personal favorite: adding watermelon to water or soaking a bottle of vodka in an entire melon overnight (if you’re into that sort of thing).
Watermelon works for a easy summer side salad. Add cucumber, feta cheese, and fresh mint and you’ve got a pretty and light salad. Don’t be hesitant to try the cheese and watermelon together, trust me, it works. This recipe comes from The Mediterranean Dish.
Or how about a Watermelon Pico de Gallo? Our guest blogger Rich Baringer offers a great recipe along with some more watermelon picking tips here.
What else is new?
Bucks County farmers markets will have other late summer produce items like: tomatoes, Shishito peppers, peaches, berries, beans, corns and even pears at some locations.
Here are a few updates for the week for local farmers markets. As always, be sure to visit your favorite farm on Facebook or just give them a good ol’ fashioned call:
None Such Farm: The wait is over! The farm now has tomatoes fresh from the field (like Black Krim, German Johnson, Scarlet Red, and other varieties). Their sweet corn is now in!
Shady Brook Farm: Get your corn, heirloom squash, cucumbers, baby eggplant, and pick-your-own peaches here this week. Again, the peach season is short so don’t miss out.
Wrightstown Farmers Market: A special note from Solebury Orchards: Due to the unusually warm early spring temperatures followed by a late heavy frost, the blueberry crop is finished for the season. The peach crop, although still available, is lower than previous weeks. Stop by this week for peaches and pears, which just started coming in.
Need something to do with all that chard? Check out this summery, flavorful recipe: Swiss Chard with Pine Nuts and Raisins
For a full listing of Bucks County farmer markets and their days/times, go to our Local Food Guide of Bucks County farmers markets.
Here’s what you will find at area farms and farmers markets, all grown in Bucks County. [Note: not every farmers market will have all these goods, but there’s a good chance you will find this produce.]
CLICK HERE to download My local food shopping list from BUCKS COUNTY TASTE – perfect for planning your weekly shopping at local farms and markets.
Produce
- Apricots (select markets) NEW!
- Beets (with green tops), Golden and Red
- Blackberries (select markets)
- Blueberries (select markets)
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe NEW!
- Carrots (with green tops)
- Collard Greens NEW!
- Cucumbers
- Edible flowers
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Garlic (fresh)
- Herbs: basil, dill, parsley, thyme, mint, sage, cilantro, oregano and chives
- Hot Peppers, Shishito Peppers
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks (select markets)
- Lettuce and lettuce mix, Romaine lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peaches NEW!
- Pears NEW!
- Peas and Pea tops NEW!
- Potatoes
- Radicchio
- Radishes
- Red onions (Tropea)
- Scallions
- Summer squash
- Sweet corn (select markets) NEW!
- Sweet Peppers
- Swiss Chard
- Tomatoes
- Hakurei Turnips
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
Many markets will also be selling…
Honey – Locally sourced honey and beeswax products.
Meats – Locally raised meats including pasture-raised pork, beef, chicken, and goat.
Eggs, Dairy – Free range eggs, fresh cow milk cheeses.
Baked Goods – Wood fired Breads, sweets using locally sourced ingredients, gluten-free goods, granola.
Prepared Foods – Soups and meals to eat at market or bring home, plus pickled and fermented goods.
Other food items – Preserves made from local fruits and vegetables. Pie fillings. Marinades and sauces. Oils and vinegars. Locally roasted organic coffee beans. Bottled wine and cider.
Plus – Dog bones and treats, crafts, soaps and skin care products, olive oils, food trucks on site, and other gift items.
CLICK HERE to download My local food shopping list_Bucks County Taste – perfect for planning your weekly shopping at local farms and markets.
