Peach season is in full swing in Colorado, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. The hard freeze that happened in Mesa County during mid-April decimated most of the region’s peach supply. Mid-spring freezes were extremely common decades ago, but what took place this past April was something that many farmers hadn’t experienced in about 20 years. Luckily, there are still plenty of peaches to be had at local farmers markets across the state. In combination with the pandemic and wildfires present this year, it is essential to support local farmers now more than ever before for their service.

Farmer Thomas Cameron of Rancho Durazno in Palisade considers himself lucky to have weathered the storm of 2020 so well. Thomas and his daughter, Gwen, own Rancho Durazno, and together with their team grow organic peaches, cherries, apricots, nectarines, plums and pluots on 38 acres of land.

While in the spring they projected to have 50 percent of their peach supply, 100 percent of the crop recovered this summer. However, their apricots and cherries were lost. They credit the farm’s location on the wild desert lands of western Colorado for being able to weather the storm better than most.

Located just outside the opening of De Beque Canyon, their east valley location allowed the “million dollar breeze” to warm their crops through the frost. Cold air drains off the Rocky Mountains in the evenings and passes through the canyon, where it then compresses and warms up, giving Rancho Durazno and other nearby farms a few extra degrees of warmth.

Wind machines mix the warm air from above with the cold air below to raise the temperature in the orchard a few degrees. However, wind machines and propane heaters were not very effective on the April 14 frost because it was windy.

“COVID, the freeze and the fires have shaped this season,” Gwen explains. “It was harder to get our fruit from where we grow it to the people who eat it.”

Avoiding Grizzly Creek and Pine Gulch on their commute to the front range for various farmers markets added about four and a half hours to each trip.

Gwen commends her workers for putting in long hours and hard work this season, adding that everyone is ready for a much-needed break.

Rancho Durazno peaches are enjoyed throughout Colorado, including at the Boulder County Farmers Market. To celebrate the 2020 peach season, the Boulder County Farmers Market collaborated with Front Range favorite, Pizzeria Locale, on a Mercato Salad with peaches, burrata, mustard greens and pancetta. Give the recipe a try in gratitude to Colorado’s farmers!

Mercato Salad.jpg — Mercato Salad

Author: Chef John Sismanis, Pizzeria Locale, Boulder

Servings 4

Ingredients

· 8 slices pancetta

· 4 peaches

· 8 oz buratta

· 1 baby spring onion, red or white

· 4 oz mustard greens (or similar spicy green)

· 1 lemon

· extra virgin olive oil

· balsamic vinegar

· salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Lay pancetta slices on parchment paper lined sheet tray. Bake until golden and crispy. When finished, allow to cool and drain on a cooling rack or paper towels.

3. Cut peaches in half and remove the pit. Generously cover the cut sides with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill peaches on a very hot grill, cut side down, until grill marks are achieved. This should take about one and a half minutes. Set peaches aside and allow to cool to room temperature.

4. Thinly slice the spring onions and mix with mustard greens.

5. In a mixing bowl, lightly dress your mustard greens and spring onions with a drizzle of olive oil, squeeze of lemon and pinch of salt.

6. Slice peach halves into four or five pieces.

7. Divide ingredients equally onto four plates and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Make The Most Of Peach Season 2020

Ingredients

Instructions