It's Peach Picking Season

This is the time of year when Jersey peaches are at their ripest. Why, then, would you spend a fortune buying them at the supermarket when you can pick your own just minutes from home?

Demarest Farms in nearby Hillsdale has been inviting families into their orchards to pick peaches (as well as apples and pumpkins) for many, many years.

Picking your own not only means that you'll take home the ripest, most juicy peaches, but it's a memorable family day out that's close to home and won't break the bank.

You and your family will take a hayride to the orchard where you can roam the rows of trees and choose between white and yellow peaches. 

Just what can you do with all those juicy peaches you've picked? Well, here's a peach tart recipe courtesy of Demarest Farms:

Peach Tart 

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups sifted flour
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch
• 4 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup red currant jelly
• 4 jumbo sliced, peeled and pitted Demarest Farm peaches

Mix butter, sugar and sifted flour into a dough. Pat into the bottom of an 11x15-inch pan. Bake in 350-degree oven until golden brown. Set aside to cool. In a saucepan mix cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, orange juice and currant jelly. Cook until thickened. Set aside to cool. Layer peach slices over cooked dough. Pour cooled glaze over top. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with whipped cream. 

Peach picking is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday throughout the season from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hayrides are $5 per person and peaches are $6 per bag. (You won't believe how many peaches you can fit into a bag!) And don't forget to bring your camera.

Demarest Farms is located at 244 Wierimus Ave., Hillsdale. 201-666-0472.