by Sharon Quercioli

Precious Peaches

The smell of fresh peaches is one of the best parts of warmer weather. While we were driving back from North Carolina, we stopped in Spartanburg because they are known for their “Elegant Ladies. ”The name was so catchy, I had to try one. Wow they were amazing! Sweet as honey and delicious. We bought a whole bag, and we try to get them whenever they are in season. While technically a summer fruit, peaches can be found year-round in the frozen and canned section of your grocery store. Of course, my preference is always fresh. Since the weather is getting brighter and warmer, you will frequently see peaches pop up in the fresh produce section.

Are Peaches Good for You?

Yes!
Peaches are a moderate source of antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and beta-carotene. They are low in calories and don’t contain any saturated fats. They are also filled with plenty of other healthy vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin E, niacin, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. Since peaches are widely available(even in the off-season), they are easy to add to your diet in smoothies, salad toppers, desserts or just by themselves. They can even be a delicious addition to glazes for meats and pastries.

These small, round, red and white vegetables can help detoxify your body with the use of something called indoles. Indoles help fight cancer and work with sulforaphane to help inhibit certain types of cancers like breast, ovarian, prostate, and colon cancer.

They are also filled with healthy amounts of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals. Some examples include vitamins A, E, B6, K, and C. They are also full of potassium, zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, and calcium.

Peaches Aid in Heart Health

Regularly eating peaches (and other fruit) can help your heart. Heart disease and high blood pressure are rampant in adults these days, especially women. While more studies need to be done, there search that has been done shows promise in how peaches can help reduce your risk for both heart disease and high blood pressure.

Peaches Aid in Digestion

A medium sized peach can give you 2 grams of fiber, half of which is insoluble fiber that can bulk up your stool and is great for your gut. The soluble fiber (the other half of those 2 grams) provides some great bacteria for your intestines.

So How Do You Choose a Peach?

Peaches can come in a variety of colors. The two most common are white (which are sweeter) or a yellow/light orange (which are more tart). With peaches, you must pick it up and smell it. The sweeter they are, the riper they are.
Check for bruises, brown spots, or wrinkled spots. This can indicate that it is overripe or just mishandled and bruised. They should be slightly soft but still firm. You should be able to press down on its flesh and feel it give only slightly.
At room temperature, peaches will last a week. If you’re going to leave them at your house for longer, place them in the fridge. This is because peaches will continue to ripen after they’re picked. If you’re going to freeze them, cut them up first, and squeeze a small amount of lemon juice on them (to prevent them from browning).

Peach Recipes

My favorite peach recipe just involves a fresh peach (“elegant lady” if I can) and water, because eating fresh peaches by themselves is wonderful on their own. The scent, the texture, and the flavor can brighten up an otherwise dull day. I also like to cut up fresh peaches and toss them in honey with other sliced fruit. They pair well with strawberries and kiwi!
Aside from that, I have two other recipes for you today. One is for cooler weather when you want something healthy and filling, but also light and refreshing. The other is a more decadent recipe for a rainy spring day or when your sweet tooth has overtaken your will!

My Favorite “Cool” Peach Recipe

My Peach Arugula Salad

This is a great salad for a spring day. The peaches and arugula are light and fresh, and the grains are healthy and filling. Better yet, the bacon adds an extra texture and a bit of protein.

For the Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons of cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped shallots
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

For the Salad:

• 1 cup of wild rice or quinoa
• 2 medium peaches, quartered
• 6 cups of fresh arugula
• 5 or 6 turkey bacon strips (cooked and chopped)

What to do with those things:

• Wisk together all the dressing ingredients.
• Prepare the rice or quinoa and let cool.
• Put the quartered peaches on a grill (oiled so they won’t stick) and grill over medium heat until they’re just a touch brown. It should take anywhere between five to ten minutes, depending on your grill.
• Mix the rice or quinoa with the bacon and a fourth of a cup of the dressing.
• In a serving bowl, place the arugula, top with the rice mixture and the peaches.
• Drizzle the rest of the dressing.

My Favorite Baked Peach Recipe

Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe

Who doesn’t love a good cobbler! Peach cobblers are decadent and great when you’re looking for sweet comfort food.

What you’re going to need:

• ½ cup of butter, unsalted
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour (substitute all-purpose gluten free flour blends for a healthier cobbler)
• 2 cups of sugar, divided in half (substitute maple syrup and/or coconut palm sugar for a healthier alternative)
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• Salt
• 1 cup of milk (nondairy milk works also)
• 4 or 5 medium peaches
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

What to do with those things:

• Wash and slice the peaches into wedges or slices.
• Melt the butter in a baking dish.
• In a bowl, mix the flour, a cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
• Add the milk and stir. Don’t overmix, mix just enough so that everything is moist.
• Pour the batter over the butter. Make sure not to stir with the butter.
• In a medium saucepan, mix the peaches, the rest of the sugar, and the lemon juice together in the pan. Bring it all to a boil. Then pour over the batter. Again, don’t stir.
• (Optional) Sprinkle a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon on top.
• Bake in a 375-degree oven for forty-five minutes.
• Serve warm. Top with vanilla bean ice cream. This is also optional, but so good!