23 July 2010

Peaches - Just Peaches





Peaches have been in season for a while, but I didn't buy any until yesterday. It was not until yesterday that I found a peach I could smell. I've found if it doesn't smell peachy, it isn't going to taste peachy. If I can find more fabulously fragrant yellow peaches, I'll be making lots of peach pies, cobblers and shortcakes. And pots of jam. But these first ones had to be enjoyed with no embellishment. And it was a Delightful Repast!

To me, a white peach is not a peach. A white peach does not have enough acid, flavor or texture to stand up to cooking. And I don't care for them raw either. My peaches must be yellow. And they must be organic--free of the multiple pesticides regularly applied to peaches in conventional orchards. I look for them at the farmers markets, natural foods stores and even, now, the supermarket. In fact, I found these little beauties at a chain supermarket!

I looked at the label to see where they were grown. Whatever produce I'm buying, it must be local or as close to local as possible. Peaches aren't grown in my immediate area, so I look for ones grown in my state or region. Needless to say, I enjoy them only in summer as I never buy the out-of-season imports.

With a little sleuthing, I was able to use the scant information on the label to track down the farmer who grew these peaches, Peterson Family Farm. I love supporting family farmers who are growing organic produce and being good stewards of the land.

So, no recipe today! Just ...

1 Buy some perfectly ripe and fragrant organic yellow peaches grown as close to where you live as possible.
2 Wash them. No need to peel, just wipe off as much fuzz as you can.
3 Slice into a pretty bowl.

Sweet, easy and delicious, and not a refined carbohydrate in sight! Can't say that's not comfort food!

I'd love to hear your "peach stories." And your thoughts on sustainable, local, organic foods.

9 comments:

Grant Soosalu said...

As a kid we used to have a backyard filled with fruit trees, and of all of them, peaches were my favorite! Can't get much more local and organic than that :) We also used to bottle them so we could enjoy them over winter.

Now, it's winter here in Australia, so I'll have to wait till summer to enjoy those delicious peaches. But thanks for taking me on a trip down memory lane. It was a delightful and delicious experience :D

cheerings, Grant

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks for stopping by, Grant! If I had peach trees in my backyard, I would probably be very overweight!

Interesting that you call "bottling" what we in the US call "canning." Since home "canners" use glass jars ... But someone told me that in Utah it is called "bottling."

Cranberry Morning said...

That is just a gorgeous photo, and I can almost smell that wonderful peachy fragrance through my monitor!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much! Peaches are very photogenic.

ami said...

You made my mouth water! You are right, sometimes the best finish to a meal is a simple fruit - and peaches at the height of summer are at the top of the list. But do you ever have extra - and do you can (bottle) them? We visited a peach orchard recently, and our eyes were bigger than our tummies. Sadly, I don't know a thing about preserving.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Well, Ami, I wish I could say "Yes, I can all the time;" but I cannot (pun intended)! I used to do all that, but the thrill is gone. Well, not so much that, but the energy is gone. I am more inclined to freeze things now, and a properly frozen peach slice thawed mid-winter is a joy to behold!

Unknown said...

I've had the hardest time this year with peaches - nectarines also. I don't know if its a weather thing but I've not had a good one all summer! Its so disappointing!

Tracy

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tracy, I'm not sure where you might find some good peaches in your area. Maybe go to pickyourown.org and see what they have listed. Hope you find some!

Cranberry Morning said...

P.S. I thought I'd let you know about a recent development re. Lionel The Cat

http://cranberrymorning.blogspot.com/2010/07/balding-of-lionel.html