“Pick your own” - Strawberries & Strawberry Festivals
Jun 18th, 2009 by Laura
Strawberry season is in full swing. My three year old daughter and I visited Verrill Farm in Concord yesterday and picked nearly 5 pounds (and probably ate another two) of “low-spray” berries at $2.75 per pound. The berries were abundant, so glossy, like an advertising photo, and sweet. I kept telling my daughter to pick the ones that were “really red.” We had picked the previous week at our CSA, Waltham Community Farms, and those seemed a little smaller and tastier but it may have been just the excitement of the 1st pick of the season. The advertise picking daily from 9 - noon, but I would call ahead because we went on the only sunny day this week and they were planning on being open until 3 pm. Overall picking can be a quick trip. We were done in about a 1/2 hour. But the sun (what sun?) and the stooping can be brutal (I actually sad between the rows!) And prepare for berry stains everywhere.
I waffled over how much to pick, and then went overboard, or so I thought. Just over 24 hours later we have less than a handful left. I picked up a little rhubarb at the Verrill Farm store for a cooking adventure. A quick search on “easy strawberry rhubarb recipes” yielded a fantastic cobbler recipe. I followed the dough recipe and fudged the rest. It was pretty forgiving when I tried to substitute tapioca with corn starch and only had a cup of rhubarb.
I may try another farm next week or stick to Verrill Farms because it is so convenient (just west on route 2, a little further than Walden Pond, then south on Sudbury Road.) If you are looking for a party, their annual Strawberry Festival is this Saturday, June 20th, noon - 4 pm. I have attended their corn and tomato event in the summer — it is not a tiny little event — but we didn’t find it too overwhelming. Music, hay rides, pony rides, food and strawberries.
I have heard that Land’s Sake in Weston (who also sells at the Davis Square farmers market) is pretty close (just off of 95 south of 2 and north of the pike.) They offer no-pesticide strawberries and also have a strawberry festival this Saturday, June 20th at 10 am. I suspect their event might be more low key — still have live music and activities for kids, but charge admission ($4 adults, $2 for kids, 2 & under & members free.)
To find another place for strawberries, check out the Pick Your Own website or another link to pick your own in New England. Please share your favorite pick your own farms. I can’t wait for blueberry season!
