David Mas Masumoto is an organic peach farmer in Del Ray, CA, an inspiring author, and a magic man on the planet. If you want to be nurtured by wonderful writings, read some of his books and letters.
I have had the privilege to spend a little time with him and take a walk with him. I have seen his trees in winter. The branching of the trees almost looks like an angiogram of the heart with big branches nourishing ever smaller branches. One difference in the picture is the lengths of rope tied to the big branches in a somewhat artistic tangle so they can help each other support the weight of his incredible peaches.
I came home tonight and was offered a huge Suncrest peach fresh from Monterey Market in Berkeley, a legendary produce market. The flavor was incredible. And in my kitchen was the latest edition of Eating Well magazine, one of my new favorite sources for inspiration in the kitchen.
I modified the recipe to fit Mas’ peaches and other ingredients I had. Rather than 3 peaches needed to weigh a pound, the Suncrest peaches weighed in at 11 ounces each. I just couldn’t stop at 1 pound and used two of them.
Another gift came from the backyard. I have usually hacked back blackberry bushes getting all scratched up in the process. This year I gave the vine a chance and had about 2 1/2 cups of berries for this delicious peach and blackberry cobbler.
This is the essence of summer.
Servings: 10