The Best Ways to Enjoy Peach Season

Big things are happening in the harvest box this week! First, we’re welcoming a new farmer to the SLO Veg family, SLO Grown Produce will be providing us with Persian Cucumbers and Genovese Basil for all your garnishing needs! A couple members of the SLO Veg team will be heading out this week to tour their property and gain some farmer knowledge to best inform you all on their unique growing methods.

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Last Friday, I was sitting at my desk in the SLO Veg warehouse as I skimmed through the finalized list of harvest offerings for the following week. A couple team members and I were going through the items one by one and while someone else was speaking, my curiosity got the best of me and I began to read ahead. My eyes made their way down the page until they reached the last item on the list. It was at this moment, staring at the 13th bullet point, when the loudest, most startling gasp left my lips, causing everyone in the warehouse to stop dead in their tracks. As I looked up to meet the concerned expressions of my peers, I realized that my response was a touch on the dramatic side and all I could do was slowly whisper “peaches!”

I don’t think I have the words to describe my love for stone fruit. I remember accompanying my mom at farmers markets in the summers and purchasing a single peach at my favorite stand. I’d be so proud of it that I would walk around all day, nursing this peach to protect it from falls or bruises. To this day, I still do this, and if you received peaches in your box last week, know that each one was handled with the utmost respect, care, and love from yours truly. This same love goes to nectarines, apricots, mangos, and plums. As someone who feels so passionately about this family of fruit, I am determined to get everyone on the stone fruit wave. I am a firm believer that any fruit of vegetable can taste good if prepared the right way, so, if you aren’t the peach-loving-proponent that I proclaim myself to be, allow me to enlighten you on some enticing ways to fall in love with stone fruit.

Grilled or Roasted

Throwing some peaches on the grill and serving them on their own, topped on a salad, or even as a little garnish is a super delicious way to impress any guests you have over. It’s so easy but looks, smells, and tastes luxurious. Drizzle with a little balsamic reduction for some added flare.

Recipes

Honey-Glazed Roasted Peach with Mascarpone

Sugar Roasted Peaches

Grilled Stone Fruit Salad

Grilled Peach Salad with Curry Pecans & Honey Vinaigrette

Grilled Pork & Peaches

On Pizza

I tried this a while back when I had some friends over for a pizza concoction-off. I laid out several different sauces, toppings, cheeses and meats and handed each guest their own ball of dough. Each guest was to create any combination they wanted and then we’d taste and discuss how we felt about it. Almost as a joke, I sliced up some nectarines as a topping option and ended up using them with a pesto sauce, parmesan cheese, and fennel sausage. This pizza was the star of the show! Rave reviews from my lovely guests.

Recipes

BLT & Grilled Peach Pizza

Toasted Walnut Pesto and Caramelized Nectarine Pizza with Spicy Balsamic Drizzle

Chutneys

I always joke that my dad is a really good microwaver, he can’t really cook, but boy does he do a good job at heating things up. On the nights where he did have to cook for my brother and I, it was usually a starch, a vegetable, and chicken breast that was always accompanied by a savory apricot chutney to mask the dryness of the chicken he had just overcooked. Honestly, it was always delicious and using this technique has saved some of my oven-forgotten meals. Chutney is also a welcomed addition to cheese boards, and sweet brunch items like waffles for some sweet and savory action.

Recipes

Apricot Chutney

Desserts & Sweets

Add a little vavavoom to weekend brunch, or some earthy summertime-ness to any dessert! Stone fruit goes so well on french toast, waffles, oats, and crepes. I’ve also made some mean fruit crisps and pies with peaches, always topped with some vanilla ice cream. To heat, you can cook your sliced fruit in a saucepan with some sugar, and a little butter, all to taste. Sometimes, if I’m feeling low maintenance, I’ll just grab my frozen stash from the freezer and microwave until soft.