2021-12-03 10:42:08
Colorado’s warm summer days and crisp, cool nights mean our state grows some of the sweetest, most flavorful fruits and veggies you’ll find. Here’s where to sample the Centennial State’s stellar produce across two harvest seasons. Palisade to Olathe: 55 Miles, Late Summer Delight in Western Slope farm-stand stars with a late-summer daytrip from Palisade to Olathe. Palisade’s juicy peaches and Olathe’s sweet corn are both ripe for the picking mid-July. Meander along country roads through wineries and orchards and stop at one of the area’s bountiful U-pick spots, like the Palisade Peach Shack. Keep your eyes peeled for roadside stands overflowing with just-harvested fruit along the way. Next, motor southeast along Hwy. 50 for the sweetest corn. There’s little better in the world than these plump kernels dripping in butter and salt. Pause for freshly picked corn on the cob at Olathe’s Tuxedo Corn or at nearby country stores. Insider’s Tip: It you’re here earlier in the growing season, say around mid-June, grab some ruby-red cherries from Paonia’s Orchard Valley Farms and Market (just about 90 minutes from Palisade by car). Pueblo to Rocky Ford: 54 Miles, Mid-July–Early October Take your tastebuds on a tour of green chiles, watermelons and cantaloupe. Harvest season for these goodies runs from mid-July to early October. Explore the spicy city of Pueblo to discover their pride — the Pueblo green chile. These green gems, grown best in warm, arid climates, are comparable to a medium-hot jalapeño. You’ll love sampling fiery creations at local dining spots, like Cactus Flower Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, or pick up roasted peppers — whole or chopped —at Milberger Farms to add some heat to your own recipes. Then head southeast along Hwy. 50 for Rocky Ford’s mouthwatering watermelons, honeydew and cantaloupes. A slice of these Colorado specialties is like biting into juicy-sweet heaven. Stretch your legs at farm-fresh markets like Smith’s Corner to stock up on melon-y goodness. Want More? COLORADO.COM/HARVESTFUN LEARN MORE ABOUT COLORADO’S FAVORITE FARM-STAND PRODUCE AT COLORADO.COM/STARRINGINGREDIENTS.
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