I can't tell you about varieties, but we'be had peaches that big here (CA) since my childhood. Good ones. Recently, the stores usually have had rocks that never ripen, unless you can find some labeled "tree ripened", which are lovely like peaches used to be. I've also had good luck with boxes of Summer Flame. That's for nicely ripe rather than rock. They're good, but not the bestest of all.

This year I've been getting peaches in my farm box, which even when too early picked and went from rock to wrinkled without an in between, were delicious. They're small, likely older varieties. I got a dozen to make a tart with when they seemed to be more likely to be ripe. I have the shell and the frangipane made, but I have to work up the oomph to peel the peaches and bake the tart before the heat wave sets in. :) Peach tart, like some candy bars, is fab frozen right out of the freezer, so I'm making a big tart. :)

Here something that big and freestone would probably be Elberta, maybe Red Haven.

I have 6 small but delicious local peaches on the counter and they are finally ripe now. I don't know what I'm going to do with them, maybe peach cobbler, but I'll be watching here for more ideas...

Annie

I'm pretty sure Red Havens are finished now in southeastern PA. They started in early August. In New Jersey probably earlier. Maybe Lorings?

My local orchard grows those big freestone peaches. They are like eating orbs of sweetness. I have not seen them yet this year and that is a bit unusual. We had a late frost here that played havoc with this years harvest. Maybe, just maybe, that explains it. It was not the best year for peaches and now we are getting way too much rain to make good peaches. It happened last year that we got too much rain and the peach harvest was almost ruined. The fruit began to go bad almost as soon as it was picked and they ended up putting most of the harvest out as reduced for quick sale and use.

I can't remember what the local farm labeled them as, but they were huge!

I am in the mid Atlantic region.

We bought a few local peaches the beginning of the week, they weren't quite ripe. I've been using them on cereal as they ripen. I went to get the last one this morning and it had rotted. Waaah! :-(( And this was the last week for the orchard to have peaches, it's all apples from here on out.

Peaches are like avocados.....

Peach is my favorite fruit. I love them in everything. Summer torte with peaches, peach preserves, peach shortcake and crumble, but the best way I like to eat them is just fresh. Oh, and a little ice cream doesn't hurt . . .

Lucky you! A perfectly ripe peach is heavenly.

It's hit or miss with the ones I buy. I've had a couple of bags of excellent ones, but many that were only good for cooking.

I've had better luck with nectarines this season.

I was buying both, organic from Walmart, and I do curbside pickup, so I get what I get. Seems like they're done now.