Summer is my absolute favorite season. I love the long days, wearing sundresses, hanging out with my family and friends outside, going to the splash pad with my kiddos, and even don’t mind the humidity. But the part that makes summer really shine is all the delicious fresh produce. More specifically, the best fruit in the world, peaches.
Here in the South, peaches are in season from late May to early August. There is a reason why Georgia is famous for their peaches… the climate is perfect for growing them. California peaches are good too, but Georgia peaches are the crème de la crème! They should be juicy, sweet with a tad of tart, firm enough to cook with but soft enough to eat in all their natural raw splendor. Anyone else’s mouth watering yet?
Thankfully if you live in Middle Tennessee you are close enough to peach country to be able to find fresh juicy Georgia peaches, but you do have to hunt a little bit for them. Most grocery stores unfortunately don’t have the best quality. I may sound like a total peach snob but that’s only because I am. I’ve had peaches that were so good they have literally brought to tears. (Ok, so I was pregnant at the time and maybe slightly more emotional, but I still don’t care to settle for bland mealy ones ever again).
I don’t want you to settle either. The Peach truck was started by a Nashville couple, and they set up stands all around town through the summer selling by the bag or box. It may be a little pricier than the regular grocery store variety, but totally worth it as they are always top notch and come with a guarantee. Also you can check out a farmer’s market near you. You may want to ask for a sample before you buy, and most sellers are cool with that.
My favorite way to enjoy peaches in the Summer are just raw and sliced. But if I ever find that I have more than I can eat, these simple recipes are very good too, and kid-friendly. Here the links:
- Peach Cobbler
- Sauteed Peaches Over Ice Cream: Simply throw some slices peaches in a pan with a pad of butter and simmer for a few minutes until warm and syrupy. It’s not an exact science!
- Grilled Peach Salad
- Spiced Peach Oatmeal: Make rolled oatmeal according to directions, then the last minute of cooking, toss in some skinned sliced peaches and sprinkle in cinnamon and cardamom.
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