Peachy Keen: Fruit in the Spotlight at Collegeville Farmers Market

The following was provided by a Collegeville Farmers Market representative:

The first local, fresh juicy peaches of the summer are finally here in abundance. Join us as we rejoice in all things peaches at the Collegeville’s Farmers Market this Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 460 E. Main St. behind the AmeriGreen gas station in Collegeville.

In addition to succulent yellow and white peaches and peach butter from North Star Orchards and peaches from Frecon Farms, the market is featuring wine tastings of A’dello Vineyards’ 2010 “Passionate Peach” fruit wines.  And as part of this week’s focus on peaches, Jenny & Frank’s Artisan Gelato will also be sharing free tastes of their newest flavor, a wonderful spiced peach made with local fruit. 

The Key to a Good Peach Pick
All too often, in cutting open a peach, we find it is either rock hard—or conversely, mushy, mealy and flavorless. If a peach is picked when it is still green—which happens with some grocery store peaches—the peach will never ripen and acquire the right flavor and texture.

Peaches need to be picked when they are ripe, but not yet soft, because even with local orchards, transport of the peaches bruises them before they get to the customer.  Local farmers pride themselves on picking their peaches at exactly the right time to ensure maximum flavor and firmness.

How to Ripen a Peach: Mystery Solved!

Peaches from the market should be left out on a plate on the counter from one to three days to achieve the perfect, juicy ripeness. We do not recommend ripening them in paper bags, which people use to “speed up” the process. Although the bags trap the ethylene gas given off by the fruit, which is a ripening agent, the greater problem is that people forget the peaches are in the bag and discover them when they are way past their prime. Peaches can be refrigerated for up to a week.

This Week’s Market

The Collegeville Summer Market now carries in-season local fruits and vegetables, gourmet cupcakes and a range of baked goods, hand-crafted chocolates, artisan cheeses, local wines, herb vinegars and other homemade food and herbal products, artisan gelato, fresh flowers, bedding plants, cage-free fresh eggs, grass fed beef, pastured pork, grass-fed lamb and a variety of meat products, gourmet dog treats, organic coffee, handcrafted hummus, local maple syrup, candles, crafts and more. 

Comic-juggler-magician Al Angello will provide entertainment this week.

The market is also dog friendly, so your pooch is welcome to join you.

Parking is limited on the market site to handicapped customers and drop offs, but there are more than 200 free spaces are available to market customers just half a block away at the parking lot, the Masonic Temple lot on Clamer Avenue, and the back lot of Sabre’s Jewelry.

The market is operated by Collegeville’s Main Street program.