The Best Vegetable of My Life
If you are anywhere near East Durham, you should be eating fresh peas right now.
Peas, glorious peas! Popped from their shells like nature's Pez, they're candy-sweet, the essence of summer infused into each crunchy-fresh bite.
First thing on Saturday we drove straight from Brooklyn to East Durham Farms, only to find the barn where they keep the produce completely empty. Farmer Chris came in from the field and explained that if he picked everything, he'd probably end up feeding a lot of it to his pigs that night.
The welcoming farm is tucked into a winding side road and feels like a secret, enchanted spot. It's the kind of place you don't mind waiting for produce to be picked. So, my 5-year-old, still in his pajamas, followed the farmer through the deer-proof fencing. They chatted about the vegetable garden at his Brooklyn public school, while Archer sampled bites of just-picked peas.
"These are the best peas I've ever had, and my mommy gives me peas in my lunch every day," Archer said. My husband, Pete, declared them the best vegetable of his life. I can't imagine a bite of any food better than a sweet, sun-ripened pea, picked fresh from the vine. Ramona was eating fresh peas for the first time. She is forever spoiled.
We all are.
Can't wait to taste their mid-summer tomatoes again and enjoy their animals, vegetables and flowers through another season.
East Durham Farms is located at 175 Brown Road. They're generally open on from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays but you may want to give them a ring before you visit to make sure they're around. For more info, check their Facebook page and website.
Peas on the vine at East Durham Farms
