Garden State Fresh: Delicious Recipes for NJ Summer Produce
Good old Jersey sometimes gets a bad rap with its pollution, traffic and calorie-laden diner food. And while I'll be the first to admit NJ has a gritty side, there actually IS a reason we're called the Garden State. As you drive west, past the crowded bridges and tunnels that leave Manhattan, past Newark airport, shopping malls and suburbs, you'll soon find yourself a world away as the roads open up into wide green spaces. Pick any summer weekend, pack up the family in the car and head straight to one of our state's bountiful farms to PYO (that's 'Pick Your Own' for all you city folk!). Then head home and try out one of these simple, but delicious recipes to make the most of New Jersey's awesome summer crops.
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Peaches (mid July thru mid September)
Peach-Lime Sorbet
Peach-Blueberry Crumble with Quinoa-Oat Topping
Peach Pie Smoothie
Sweet Corn (end of July thru October)
Grilled Corn Salsa
Mexican Corn-on-the-cob with Cheese & Lime
Tomato, Corn & Avocado Salad
Blueberries (end of June thru end of July)
Watermelon, Blueberry and Spinach Salad with Feta
Frozen Greek Yogurt Blueberry Bites
Blueberry Muffins
Blackberries (end of July thru mid August)
Blackberry Ricotta Parfait
Blackberry Limeade
Blackberry Pie Bars
Not sure where to 'Pick Your Own?' There are many farms and stands for PYO, but here are 3 of our favorite New Jersey farms that offer year-round family fun, with lots of ripe and ready fruits & veggies:
Alstede Farms (Chester, NJ)
A Mommy Poppins NJ favorite, this sprawling farm has wagon rides out to their vast growing fields, fresh flower picking, barn animals and a wide variety of PYO crops throughout the summer, including strawberries, corn and cantaloupe. Check out the picking schedule here.
Terhune Orchards (Princeton, NJ)
Terhune Orchards is a family friendly farm in the beautiful Princeton suburb that has a loyal following. Check out their on-site winery, bountiful pumpkin patch in the fall and sweet cherries and blueberries come summer. See what's in season here.
Donaldson Farms (Hackettstown, NJ)
A working farm in the Hackettstown area for over 100 years, Donaldson Farms holds festivals and farmers markets all year round, including ‘Summer Nights on the Farm’ with music, a locally-sourced menu and pony rides for kids. Strawberry picking is winding down, but mid summer brings juicy blackberries and raspberries. View their PYO info here.
Happy picking!
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