What’s Sprouting At East End Farm Stands At The End Of August

Water Mill’s largest orchard, the Milk Pail, is welcoming its first summer apples—the Dandee Reds. Similar to Macintosh in flavor, farmer Jenn Halsey says they are much crunchier than the grocery store variety, because they are so fresh.

In the next week, the Sanza and Zester varieties will be ripening, both of which are a sweeter apple. If you are a fan of the infamous Honey Crisps, Ms. Halsey recommends trying Zesters for a similar sweet tart taste.

Milk Pail’s home-grown peaches are in the height of their season, which will continue through September, thanks to an extra big crop this year. The donut variety are waning so stop by the stand to pick up these cute fruits today. Blueberries are also on their way out, so stock up now.

Looking into the fall, apple enthusiasts should keep their eyes out for the Milk Pail 95. Thanks to their status as a co-operative grower with Cornell University’s Co-Operative Extension program, the Milk Pail grows this variety experimentally. Describing the flavor as “phenomenal,” Ms. Halsey encourages people to try all of the new varieties.

In general, Ms. Halsey says that produce on the East End is the “freshest you’re ever going to get it.”

“Don’t go to King Kullen,” she said. “Spend a little more time looking for the homemade, more local, nonprocessed, fresh food.”

Located at 346 Montauk Highway, the Milk Pail is open Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.

Good Water Farms, the East End’s first exclusively micro-green farm is in the midst of its summer, home delivery CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) season. New signs-ups are available starting at the first of the month. Check out the farm’s website, goodwaterfarms.com, and get these superfoods straight to your door.

Farmer Brendan Davison recommends trying the pea tendrils as a good entrée into microgreens if you aren’t as familiar with the produce. Other favorites are the arugula microgreens, which pair well with local tomatoes, or the sunflower microgreens, which taste great in smoothies. Good Water has been experimenting with cucumber microgreens, which are sold to restaurants like Almond, the American Hotel and Sen.

Good Water greens are also available the Green Thumb in Water Mill and Provisions Market in Sag Harbor.

The Green Thumb Hayground Market “kids” stand has been an East End staple for a few years now and the venue has really taken off in its own right.

“We just started picking our peaches. We just have a few trees, but it’s been a good year,” farmer Ray Wellen said. The fruit trees are a new venture that the next generation is excited about.

A wide variety of organic potatoes is coming up now as well. The colorful array would look great with a roast. In addition, Green Thumb is excited about the Bora Valley potato. This purple superfood is edible raw and is great in salads, as it has a crunchy, nutty flavor profile with a slight bitter flavor.

Mr. Wellen says to keep your eyes peeled for black beans, lima beans and cranberry beans in the next few weeks. String beans are on their way out, as well as Dragon Tongue beans.

Tomatoes and peppers are in the height of their season. Green Thumb is growing the crowd-pleaser shishito peppers. Cucumbers are waning so pick some up today for pickling!

The stand is open from Friday through Monday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 1616 Montauk Highway in Water Mill.