Get to know peaches!

When is it seasonal? Summer to fall 

Varieties: 

• Freestone Peaches: their flesh is easily pulled away from the pit; usually what you find at the grocery store; freestone peaches are the best for baking, cooking and eating alone because they are easier to slice and peel
• Clingstone Peaches: more firm and their flesh tends to stick to the pit; used more for commercial purposes, like canning; will most likely find them at a farmers market instead of a grocery store
• Yellow Peach: deep orange/red color on the outside; little bit of sourness/acidity added to their sweet flavor
• White Peach: yellow and pale pink color on the outside; sweet taste and less acidic than yellow peach; usually eaten raw or grilled
• Nectarine: smooth skin; sweet honey-like flavor

Nutrition: Peaches are very high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, making them a very nutritious and healthy snack. Eaten with their peel, their fiber content helps support a healthy digestive system while their antioxidant, vitamin and mineral content helps support a healthy immune system.

Culinary Basics: Peaches are sweet, come with a fuzzy peel and are considered a stone fruit, meaning they come with one large pit. They can be eaten alone or used in a variety of different ways in many dishes, including desserts. Flavors that pair well with peaches include raspberry, caramel, coconut, citrus, goat cheese, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, basil, thyme and rosemary. Peaches can be eaten alone, baked into pies and cobblers, grilled and made into salsas and put into salads.