Summertime is also known as Fresh Peach Time (FPT). You see, fresh peaches are, essentially, the epitome of summer. Nothing says delicious like a sweet, ripe peach with it’s fresh juice running down your hand as you take your first bite. Nothing.

Varieties

Those fuzzy-skinned peaches are a member of the stone fruit family. There are loads of peach varieties, but we we’re more accustomed to referring to them by their main categories: freestone and clingstone.

Freestone peaches have pits that are easily removed from the fruit. These are the peaches that you can break in half and remove the pit, then munch away.

Clingstone peaches are firmly adhered to the pit; that it, you have to eat it like an apple. They come a little earlier in the season.

How to Buy

When buying peaches during FPT, select those that are free of bruising and have a deep, fruit aroma. They should be yellow or creamy white, free of any green undertones. If they are green, they were picked too early and won’t ripen very well. They also won’t be very sweet.

Often we look for that signature red blush on the fruit for ripeness, but that isn’t the case. Instead, this just indicates a certain variety.

When they are at their peak, peaches will yield to gentle pressure along the seams. They should be slightly soft; avoid those that are very soft.

If they aren’t quite ripe yet, but you plan to ripe them at home, choose peaches that are

firm, but not too hard. They will soften and become juicier as they ripen, but will not become sweeter. Place peaches in a paper bag, close it, and keep it at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, checking daily for ripeness.

Once they are ripe, store them in the refrigerator and use them within the next couple of days. Do not put unripe peaches in the refrigerator–they’ll become mealy.

How to Prepare

You can eat peaches with the skin or without… That’s a taste preference. They are often pealed when used in desserts, such as pies.

Always wash them before serving, and they are best served at room temperature.

If you are enjoying a freestone peach, you can pit it before eating it. To pit it, cut it lengthwise into halves around the pit, then twist the halves in opposite directions to separate them. Clingstone peaches cannot be pitted, but can be sliced into chunks around the pit or eaten out of hand.

What They’re Good For

One medium peach has only 40 calories, and is a good source of vitamin A, as well as vitamin C. They also pack in some fibre, are relatively low in sugar, and are naturally sodium free.

How to Enjoy Them

• Smoothies: add peaches, yogurt, spinach and your other favourite ingredients into a blender, and process until smooth.
• Top your creamy snacks, like yogurt, cottage cheese, and pudding.
• Puree with a little agave nectar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and pour over your favourite ice cream (try these vegan varieties).
• Use in savory dishes, like salads and stirfries.
• Mix with tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, cilantro and garlic for a quick sweet and spicy salsa.
• Grill halves of freestone peaches to enjoy alongside your dinner.

Tell us… How do you love your peaches? Link your recipes here or tell us about them!

Image courtesy of rubbahslippahsinitaly.blogspot.com

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