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LATE SPRING/SUMMER FRUIT
Description:
Peaches are a medium-sized round stone fruit with fuzzy skin. The flesh color ranges from orange to almost white. Similar stone fruits are
apricots,
cherries,
nectarines
and plums. They have soft, juicy flesh with a sweet taste.
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Selecting:
When selecting, choose fruit that is slightly soft. It should give under gentle pressure and smell fragrant. Also look at the skin near the stem which should be yellow or cream color (if it appears green, the peach was picked too early and will not ripen properly). The crease in the peach should be well formed.
Avoid any that are a deep reddish-brown color, have any bruising, are overly soft when touched or have shriveled skins or stems.
Storing and Handling:
When storing (if they are not quite ripe), keep in a cool place, unrefrigerated with the stem end facing downward. Check them frequently for ripeness and when you can smell the peach and the flesh gives slightly to gentle pressure, it is ripe.
Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days at most. They should be eaten immediately for best flavor and texture.
Preparing:
Wash thoroughly just before eating them under cool running water. With a knife, carefully slice around the seam of the fruit and twist to open. Cut or lift out the pit and if desired, take off the skin with a paring knife.
Quick Tip: After cutting a peach, squeeze lemon juice
over the peach to prevent any discoloration before serving.
Raw: wash, cut as desired, and enjoy alone or use in your favorite fruit salads.
Grilled: wash fruit and cut in half, remove pit, brush with a little melted butter and grill over indirect heat for approximately 8-10 minutes, watching closely so the fruit does not burn. If desired, you can drizzle with a little honey or maple syrup on the fruit after it has finished cooking.
Baked: place whole unpeeled peaches in a pan with a little water and bake in a 350°F oven until soft.
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Fruit Salads: Combine with plums and sweet cherries for a flavorful fruit salad. Top with a little plain or peach flavored yogurt for a quick and creamy fruit salad.
Fruit Smoothie: A delicious smoothie can be made by combining peaches with
strawberries,
ice cubes and milk (if desired).
Pie: a great filling for pies whether alone or combined with other fruit.
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Seasonings and Foods to use: almonds, almond extract, apricots, cherries, cream, ginger, honey, maple syrup, nectarines, plums, pork, poultry, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, walnuts, yogurt
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Quick Salad – Peaches Recipes:
Easy Fruit Salad
Summer Salad
Return from Peaches to Spring Produce Guide
