We're Jammin'!
Join us to learn to make peach jam - Sept 22
6:30 pm at the store
This will be a demo style class so don't worry about working with knives or wearing an apron!
Only $10 and you get a $5 credit toward apples and peaches
U-Pick peach weekend Aug 20/21!
11 to 4 each day (last entry at 3:30)
Our orchard is overflowing with peaches -- and everyone was so respectful and such good pickers last year, that we're doing it again -- opening the gates to our peach orchard so you can come learn to pick peaches, and enjoy an afternoon high on the hill behind our U-Pick apple orchard, just off Rt 17M, a one minute drive from our store.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring your camera! We will likely run a wagon up the hill, but you can make the short hike if you like. Park at the U-Pick apple orchard "lot" (the closest street address is 632 County Rt 50, New Hampton NY).* We'll be doing the pricing by-the-pound so you won't have to worry about peaches getting squished in an overstuffed bag! ($1.79/lb, over 20 lbs = 99 cents per pound!) (no checks or credit cards, please) Remember, you are buying what you pick - so PLEASE don't overdo it and then come down the hill to tell us "oh, I didn't really want this many." Afterward, be sure to stop by the store for sweet corn, veggies and other goodies to go with your peaches!
*please note, there are no facilities currently at U-Pick so please use the one at the orchard
or a nearby gas/convenience store before arriving. you may want to bring a bottle of water, and wear a hat and/or sunscreen!*
Note! Peaches should be kept below 40 degrees or above 60! That in-between temperature makes them not very good, they can get dry or mealy. So make sure you're refrigerator is COLD or keep them out on the counter!
We should have peaches until early/mid-Sept. or so, but don't wait to freeze them - you know how busy September will be! ;)
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Make this special time of year last by freezing Soons peaches! Here's some how-to:
Prepping Peaches for Freezing
Peaches freeze great with very little effort… and you will absolutely love the treat of yummy sweet peaches in the middle of winter! It’s worth the time to freeze some bags or containers now, while it’s full-on peach season.
Begin with fully-ripened freestone peaches at room temperature (this is important!). If they are soft enough to eat and peel easily, then they are ready for freezing. If not, store at room temp for another day or two.
Peeling: Preparing peaches for freezing requires peeling, pitting, and slicing--a challenge when handling a slippery peach.
Two options:
Dip the whole room temp peach into a large pot of water at a rapid boil for 2-3 seconds, then quickly transfer into a sink or bowl filled with icy cold water. The skins should peel away easily.
Or, place whole unpeeled peaches in the freezer until semifrozen (1 1/2 to 2 hours) you loosen the skin from the flesh, making it easy to peel away the skin. Once peeled, the juice will have sufficiently solidified to make the fruit easy to hold and slice.
To freeze completely and store, slice 4 medium peaches over a bowl filled with 1 1/2 tablespoons Fruit Fresh (or other ascorbic-acid-based product, or lemon juice) and anywhere from zero to 1 1/2 cups sugar. After peach slices begin to release their juices, fill a zipper-lock freezer bag or a plastic freezer container with both peaches and sugar and seal, removing as much air as possible, but leaving a tiny bit of space for expansion.