peaches

Oh, the humble peach! In the sun-drenched orchards of the Netherlands, these fuzzy, fragrant delights aren’t just a treat for your taste buds, but an invitation to a delightful day out.

Imagine this: a warm Dutch afternoon, the gentle hum of bees, and rows upon rows of peach trees laden with their juicy treasures. This isn’t just grocery shopping; it’s a mini-adventure! Head to one of those charming “zelfpluktuinen” (pick-your-own gardens) with a basket in hand, and let the fun begin.

Whether you’re going solo for a moment of peaceful contemplation among the leaves, or bringing along friends and family for some shared laughter and sun-kissed memories, peach picking is pure joy. There’s something incredibly satisfying about gently cupping a ripe peach, feeling its velvety skin, and knowing you chose that perfect specimen. Kids especially love the thrill of discovery, reaching for that high-up, perfectly blushed fruit. It’s a fantastic way to connect with nature, enjoy the fresh air, and gather a bounty that tastes all the sweeter because you picked it yourself. No rushed decisions, just slow, mindful enjoyment and the promise of deliciousness to come!

Bringing Your Peachy Bounty Home

Once you’ve returned home, basket overflowing and spirits high, the real magic begins. Those hand-picked peaches are incredibly versatile and bursting with flavour.

1. Grilled Peaches with Balsamic Glaze & Mascarpone This simple yet elegant dessert is a showstopper that takes minutes to prepare.

Ingredients: 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup); 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese; fresh mint leaves for garnish.
Instructions:
1. Brush the cut sides of the peaches with olive oil.
2. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Place peaches cut-side down and grill for 3-5 minutes, until tender and lightly charred.
3. While peaches are grilling, combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the glaze thickens slightly.
4. Arrange grilled peaches on a plate. Spoon a dollop of mascarpone into the hollow of each peach. Drizzle generously with the balsamic glaze and garnish with fresh mint. Enjoy warm!

2. Fresh Peach & Halloumi Salad A delightful savoury option that balances the sweetness of peaches with the salty tang of halloumi. Perfect for a light lunch or starter.

Ingredients: 2 ripe peaches, sliced; 250g halloumi cheese, sliced; mixed salad greens (like rocket or spinach); 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced; a handful of cherry tomatoes, halved; a handful of fresh basil or mint leaves; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp lemon juice; salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions:
1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the halloumi slices and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and slightly crisp.
2. In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
4. Add the sliced peaches and warm halloumi to the salad greens. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

3. Peachy Keen Bellini Cocktail What better way to celebrate your harvest than with a classic, refreshing cocktail?

Ingredients: 2 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and roughly chopped; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, depending on peach sweetness); 1 bottle chilled Prosecco or other sparkling wine.
Instructions:
1. In a blender, combine the chopped peaches, lemon juice, and sugar (if using). Blend until completely smooth. You might want to strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve for an extra silky texture, but it’s not essential.
2. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of peach puree into the bottom of each champagne flute.
3. Slowly top with chilled Prosecco, allowing the bubbles to mix with the peach puree. Gently stir once if needed.
4. Serve immediately and toast to your picking prowess!

So next time you’re craving something sweet and an adventure, head to a Dutch farm and get picking those gorgeous peaches. Your taste buds (and your spirit) will thank you!

Pluktuin ut ouw goed

flowers, fruit, berries

noord-brabant

Ut Ouw Goed is a self-picking garden and food forest located at Middelstraat 41, 5176 NH De Moer, managed by the Van Laarhoven family who transformed a former tree nursery into this diverse outdoor space in 2017. The farm offers a rich variety of produce for self-picking, including a wide array of fruits such as apples, pears (eating, stewing, and quinces), apricots, nectarines, persimmons, peaches, cherries, plums, figs, medlars, mulberries, raspberries, red currants, blueberries, grapes, blackberries, and strawberries. Various nut trees are also present. For vegetables and herbs, visitors can pick rhubarb, along with other seasonal vegetables and herbs. The flower picking garden allows visitors to gather their own bouquets from an assortment that includes Gypsophila, Peonies, Lavender, Anemones, Persicaria, Daisies, Sedum, Lupines, Coneflowers, wildflowers, and flowers suitable for drying, as well as Butterfly bush.

Fruittuin van West

fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, berries, nuts

noord-holland

Fruittuin van West is a bio-dynamic farm and garden located in Amsterdam, inviting visitors to experience nature and harvest their own produce. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 to 18:00, it features a self-picking orchard, an organic shop, and a garden cafe. The farm emphasizes sustainable and circular practices, holding a Demeter certification. The 6.5-hectare orchard offers a rich variety of fruits for self-picking, with the main season typically running from mid-June to mid-October. A diverse selection of over 20 fruit types includes numerous apple varieties (like Allurel, Elstar, Santana, Boskoop, Rubinette, Opal, Natira) and pears (such as Beth, Conference, Concorde, and Gieser Wildeman). Berry enthusiasts can pick blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants, rosecurrants, blueberries, gooseberries, kiwiberries, jostaberries, blackberries, summer and autumn raspberries, Japanese wineberries, loganberries, tayberries, honeyberries, cranberries, and strawberries. Stone fruits such as cherries, plums (including Mirabelle), peaches, and nectarines are also available. Additionally, the orchard grows various nuts, including almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, pecan nuts, and hazelnuts. During colder months, medlars can sometimes be found for picking in the food forest edge.

V.O.F. Post

fruit, berries

flevoland

This self-picking farm, Fruitpluktuin, is located at Hopweg 64 in Rutten. It features a half-hectare (5000 m2) fruit garden with approximately 20 rows of various fruit plants, with plans for further expansion. Visitors are invited to pick their own fresh fruit directly from the garden. The produce available for self-picking includes: Berries: Blackberries (July to October), Raspberries (summer varieties from June to August, autumn varieties from September to October), Redcurrants (June to July), Kiwiberries (September to October), and Elderberries (September to November). Orchard Fruits: Apples (Elstar, Pinova, Exelent Star, and Golden Reiners varieties from mid-September to early October), Pears (Gieser Wildman (stewing pear), Conference, and Donyenne du Comise varieties from September to October), Cherries (Kordia, Regina, and Lapins varieties from mid-July to early August), Plums (Victoria Rood and Opal Blauw varieties from July to August), Apricots (Bredase variety from August to September), Peaches (Amsden variety in August), and Nectarines (Madame Blanchet variety from August to September). Other Fruits: Grapes (September to October). Beyond the self-picking experience, the farm also grows and offers other produce such as potatoes, onions, pumpkins, gourds, and sunflowers. They sell homemade jam, liqueur, and a variety of fresh fruits like strawberries, mini watermelons, and wild peaches directly from their farm. Information on plucking times and recipes for dishes like fruit tarts and healthy shakes using self-picked fruit are available. Guided tours of the farm can be arranged by appointment.