PEACHES

11 Jul

If you were to only buy one thing at the farmers’ market in your lifetime…buy a peach. Take a big, juicy bite and see if you don’t agree. 

(image source: partyresources.blogspot.com)

Description

The peach is a member of the rose family, cousin to apricots, cherries, plums, and almonds. Peaches are a juicy, sweet, fragrant fruits that grow on trees.  Peaches can have yellow flesh or white flesh.

Nutrition

  • Peaches are low fat, saturated fat free, sodium free, and cholesterol free. 
  • Peaches are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, niacin, and potassium.  
  • Peaches are also a good source of fiber.  

Selection

Choose peaches with firm, fuzzy skins that yield to gentle pressure when ripe.  Avoid blemishes and overly firm peaches.

Preparation

Wash thoroughly and rub with a paper towel to remove the fuzz.

Ways to enjoy

  • The easiest way to enjoy a peach is to grab one for a fresh, delicious snack. No need to add flavor, peaches pack it all!
  • Peaches can be dried, canned, made into jams, jellies, and preserves, used for desserts, and used as an ingredient in many other dishes, including appetizers and entrees.
  • Peaches are great for smoothies or for adding to tea or lemonade.
  • Bake, broil, sauté, or grill peaches.  Try adding cinnamon or other fruit along. 
  • Peach fruit leather. Steps: Peal and pit peaches then purée in a blender. Pour the purée onto wax paper-lined cookie sheets and dry in a dehydrator or the oven at a very low temperature.
  • Add peaches to dessert…peach cobbler, peach pie, peach tarts, peach coffee cake.
  • Include peaches in your breakfast.  Slices on the side or on top of oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, or cottage cheese.  

Storage

Store unripe peaches in paper bag.  When ripe, store at room temperature for usewithin 1-2 days. Because fresh peaches are highly perishable, don’t buy more than you plan to use. Even when unripe, they spoil easily.

Extras

Peaches have been a popular fruit in the South since the Spaniards first brought them to North America, but they originate in China.

California, Georgia and South Carolina are the largest producers of peaches in the United States.

Recipes

http://allrecipes.com//Recipes/fruits-and-vegetables/fruits/peaches/Main.aspx

(image source: dcfud.smorgasblog.com) 

Sources

Fruitsinfo. (2011). Peaches. Retrieved from http://www.fruitsinfo.com/peaches.htm

Produce for Better Health Foundation. (2011). Fruit & Vegetable Nutrition Database. Retrieved from http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=164

Watson, M. (n.d.) About.com Local Foods. All About Peaches. Retrieved from http://localfoods.about.com/od/summer/tp/AllAboutPeaches.htm


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