One thing that people always think about when the summertime arrives is how sweet the summer peaches will taste. Peaches have various recipes and can taste delicious in anything. Peaches can even be made into a salsa recipe! There are many health benefits to peaches and many interesting facts about them. Peaches can enrich skin health, heart health, eye health, and contain various vitamins and minerals. Peaches are actually members of the rose family and were initially grown in China. There are also different types of peaches depending on how the seed separates from the inner part of the peach. The peaches that don’t separate from the seed easily are called clingstone peaches. The other peaches that do separate from the seed easily are called freestone peaches.
There are many colors that a peach can be including yellow, white, or orange. The color also can indicate the acidity of the peach. The white flesh is less acidic than the golden yellowish orange color. Peaches are also produced in Italy and in China mostly. Peach season is from June until the end of August. Peaches are typically ripe when they are a creamy yellow color or a golden color. Checking peaches with your whole hand is recommended as compared to using your fingertips since peaches bruise so easily.
A large peach has less than 70 calories and has 3 grams of fiber in it. Peaches contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C. Peaches are not only tasty but nutritious as well and go great with a numerous amount of recipes. The most common food that people think of when it comes to peaches is a peach cobbler, but peaches can be used in very different recipes other than desserts. Peaches can be used to make a peachy chicken salad, peach salsa, and even in muffins! Peaches are great in many ways and can be delicious in various dishes! Here is a great healthy southern peach cobbler recipe for those of you who love peach cobbler and want a healthier recipe!
Healthier Southern Peach Cobbler: (Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 8 fresh peaches – peeled, pitted, and sliced into thin wedges
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8-teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup boiling water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425˚F.
Combine peaches, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ¼ tablespoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Toss to coat evenly, and pour into a 2-quart baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine flour, white sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in water until just combined.
Remove peaches from oven, and drop spoonfuls of flour mixture over them.
Mix together 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1-teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle entire cobbler with the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Bake until topping is golden, about 30 minutes.
For more peach recipes/dishes visit:
Serve and enjoy!
Taylor Davis
Taylor is a student intern working with EFNEP at N.C. Cooperative Extension, Pitt County Center.