Seasonal Produce: Peaches
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| Thu, 08-21-2008 - 7:49am |
Not only are peaches delicious fruits to enjoy during Phases 2 and 3 of the South Beach Diet — they're also rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene and provide a fair amount of fiber. July and August are the peak months for peaches, though the California peach season often lasts from April until October. (After October, peaches are imported from Mexico, Chile, and New Zealand.) Here are a few tips on how to find that elusive perfect peach and keep it fresh.
Buying
You'll find the best peaches at local farmers' markets, though it is possible to buy perfectly good peaches at the grocery store in the late summer. Look for plump peaches with a soft yellow or cream background color and unwrinkled skins. Choose fruit with a mild fragrance whose flesh yields to gentle pressure. Avoid rock-hard peaches and those with bruises or dark spots, which are on the verge of spoiling.
Storing
Firm peaches can be kept at room temperature until they become soft and juicy. Once they're soft, either eat them within a day or store them in the refrigerator for no more than three to five days.
Preparing
Peaches can be eaten with the skin on, either chilled or at room temperature. Be sure to wash the fruit first to get rid of pesticides. To cut a peach, slice your knife along the seam of the fruit down to the pit. Continue all the way around the circumference of the fruit. Remove your knife and twist the two halves of the peach in opposite directions. One side should come right off the pit. You can remove the pit from the other side with the tip of a knife or with your fingers. In addition to eating them raw, you can bake or grill peaches with a little bit of lemon juice to prevent browning. They can also be poached in wine for an extra-special dessert.



Nancy
In a similar fashion (I don't like smoothies)... you can cube up some peaches and add a dollop of yogurt or ricotta cheese for an easy refreshing dessert. :-)
Also yummy is grilled peaches. Just slice them in half, remove the pit, spray lightly with PAM, and throw on the grill, cut side down.