Just Peachy

Sales for our book Farm Markets of Central New Jersey are going strong. With a visit to the Burlington County Farmers' Market (just outside of Moorestown near Mt. Holly) this weekend we sold another 16 copies. This is one of the more "Southern" destinations in the book but if you're heading in that direction or visiting friends in the area it's worth a stop. On the subject of worthwhile stops, if you haven't been to visit Pam at Terhune Orchards recently get over there and enjoy some of the very best peaches and nectarines our state has to offer! They are extraordinarily delicious this year. I've been dreaming up and enjoying all sorts of peachy creations for weeks now including peach salsa (which you can also just buy at Terhune if you're less inclinded to cook), peach ice cream, peach cobbler, crisp and crumble but frankly they are so good naked and unadorned that you don't want to miss eating them right away this very weekend. The weather looks to be gorgeous and Labor Day weekend is all about firing up the grill and being outdoors with freinds and family. Just clean the barbecue before grilling a few of those deliciously ripe Terhune peaches to serve with a scoop of Bent Spoon ice cream. I can think of no better way to celebrate summer and the very best that our local harvest has to offer. Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Grilled New Jersey Peaches
serves 4

2 ripe Terhune peaches
4 small short bread or amaretti cookies, crushed into crumbs
1 tbs light brown sugar
1 tbs butter
Bent Spoon Organic Vanilla bean or Raspberry gelato
Bittersweet chocolate shavings (optional)

Preheat the grill on high and be sure the grates are very clean.
Once the grill is hot, lightly oil the grates.
Carefully split the peaches in half and remove the stones. This time of year most all of the peaches are freestone and will not be difficult to split in half neatly and evenly. Place the peaches, cut sides down, on the hot grill and cook until sizzling and seared with nice dark grill marks. Transfer the grilled peaches to a baking dish, cut sides facing up.
(You can prepare the peaches to this point a couple of hours before serving and company arrives.)
Transfer the grilled peaches to a baking dish, cut sides facing up.
Combine the cookies crumbs with brown sugar and sprinkle mixture into the center of the grilled peaches. Dab each with a bit of the butter. Place the baking dish into a preheated 375 degree oven or on top of a hot closed grill for about 30 minutes or until the peaches are slightly softened, hot and juicy. Serve warm alongside a scoop of gelato and garnish with a few shaving of bittersweet chocolate (optional but delicious).