Wells Homestead Acres, Aquebogue, NY

The Wells family has been farming the same land in Aquebogue, Long since 1661 when patriarch William Wells bought his first acreage right on Sound Avenue. Today the Wells family is the longest tenured property owners (363 years!) on Long Island. The farm is split into 2 separate businesses now, with descendants growing different crops within throwing distance of each other.

Cousin Todd Wells cultivates grain and straw on their land. Lyle started Wells Homestead Acres in 1980 with 85 acres. His sons Matthew and Logan have taken over the farming operation in 2018 when their father passed away. Now cultivating more than 175 acres, they also grow zucchini, cucumbers, garlic, winter squash cut flowers, and other vegetables. Wells Homestead is most famous for its more than 45 acres of spring asparagus.

The stalks come to market late spring and locals go crazy for it. Wells asparagus possess a profound fresh-green flavor that tastes mineral-y and grassy at once. For many, their appearance marks the debut of the East End farm stand season.

The succulent spears first overlap, then trail the California, Washington, Michigan and Jersey asparagus crop. Thankfully they last through all of June. 

Cook these purple-tinged beauties briefly; you won't need to peel the tender stalks at all and only need to snip a bit off the root end.