There’s a short list of vegetables that genuinely taste different when they’re fresh — and peas are right at the top of it. The sweetness fades fast after picking, which is why the only place to get peas that actually taste like peas is at a real farm market.
If you’ve been searching for fresh peas in Kelowna, this is a quick guide to what we offer at Don-O-Ray Farms and why so many families in the Okanagan make us a regular stop.
Why fresh peas matter
Peas are one of those vegetables that reward you for paying attention to where they come from. They’re sweet, crisp, and bright when they’re fresh, and starchy and flat when they’re not. The difference between a fresh BC pea and one that’s been sitting in a distribution centre for a week isn’t subtle — it’s the entire reason people bother growing them locally in the first place.
That’s also why peas are such a beloved part of Okanagan cooking. They show up in pasta, in fried rice, in salads, in soups, and in just about every summer side dish you can think of.
What to do with fresh peas
If you’ve picked up a bag of fresh peas and aren’t sure where to start, here are a few ideas Kelowna families have been making for years.
Quick sauté. A small pan, a bit of butter, two minutes on medium heat, a pinch of salt. Done. They’ll stay bright green and sweet.
Fresh pea pasta. Toss them into pasta in the last minute of cooking along with lemon zest, parmesan, and a bit of olive oil. One of the easiest summer dinners in the Okanagan.
Pea and mint salad. Blanched peas, chopped mint, feta, a squeeze of lemon, and a drizzle of olive oil. Five minutes.
Stir into rice or grain bowls. A quick steam adds sweetness and colour to almost anything.
Pea soup. Simmered with onion, garlic, and stock, then blended smooth — a classic that takes well to fresh peas.
Where to find fresh peas in Kelowna
Don-O-Ray Farmers Market is on Benvoulin Road in Kelowna’s Lower Mission. Our address is 3443 Benvoulin Road, and we’re open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
We stock fresh local peas alongside the rest of what’s at the market — fresh BC produce, herbs, fruit, and the full Nature’s Kitchen line of prepared foods made right here on the farm. Whether you’re picking up dinner ingredients or filling a bag for the week, peas are one of those items that’s worth a special trip while they’re fresh.
More than just the market
A visit to Don-O-Ray farm market isn’t only about the produce. Our Farm Adventure petting zoo is right next door — goats, ducks, bunnies, a hedge maze, archery, and the kind of activities that turn a quick grocery run into one of the most popular family afternoons in Kelowna. If you’ve got kids in tow, plan an extra half hour.
How to stay in the loop
Want to know what’s fresh at the Kelowna farm market this week? Here’s how.
Bookmark our website at donorayfarms.com for current produce availability.
Follow us on Facebook for daily updates on what just came in.
Visit the farm market. Find us at 3443 Benvoulin Road in Kelowna’s Lower Mission. Online ordering is available year-round for Nature’s Kitchen products.
See you at the farm.
