My children have their handful of favorite fruits which means very often, we’re purchasing frozen varieties during the off-peak seasons. As I read about the importance of buying local, I’ve been trying to introduce new, in-season fruits and vegetables to my children. Up until about a month ago, I had no idea what a stone fruit was (silly me!). I actually love peaches, apricots, plums, and pluots, but surprisingly, we’ve gotten into a bit of a berry routine so my kids haven’t been exposed to these fruits much.
While shopping at my local Walmart, I noticed an array of fresh, locally-grown stone fruits, so I decided to pick up a bag of peaches and get creative. Peaches are actually quite interesting, and during a recent trip to Fresno, California with the California Farm Water Coalition, I learned a bit more about this fruit that interestingly enough, comes from the rose family!
You can find two types of peaches, Clingstone and Freestone, which simply refers to the ease with which the stone can be removed. The peach actually originated in China with the first tree, and California’s climate and soil provides the ideal setting for these sweet stone fruits to grow.
Most of the peaches you’ll find in the stores at this time are ripe and ready to eat and can be stored in the refrigerator for 5-6 days.
With the summer heat upon us, I’ve been trying to create recipes that are fresh and healthy. My children love anything with color, so I put together this easy peach mango salsa that can be used as a garnish for fish or a dip for chips. The recipe is quick and simple but looks and tastes delicious.
- 1 Peach peeled and diced
- 1 Mango peeled and diced
- 1/2 Red Pepper diced
- 1/4 Red Onion diced
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Cilantro chopped
- Juice of 1/2 Lemon
- Salt and Pepper to taste
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Toss all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
Since we have a ton of peaches to use up, next week I’ll share my recipe for a grilled cobbler!
For additional tips on selecting or using peaches, visit your local Peach Board.
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