Sweet Summer Peaches

Growing up in Washington had it's advantages, the beautiful forests, the Puget Sound, Seattle... but one of my very favorite things would have to be a sweet tree ripened peach.

My parents owned a little grocery store which was only open in the summer time. We sold only fresh produce and locally made products. Every summer my sisters and I would be in charge of the fruit, at one time I could bag up a pound of cherries exactly to the ounce, I can still half a nectarine, apricot and/or peach with out having to use a knife. Along with my many fruit skills, I fell in love with fresh fruit, like many girls are in love with chocolate; I crave Raspberries, Strawberries, Blue Berries, Blackberries and yes Peaches.

Peach season is at the end of summer, it is short but wonderful at the same time.  When I was little (and up till I moved away for college) my dad would come home with a huge bag of peaches and some half & half.  He was always so excited he would say "Ashlee look what I got!  Want to have Peaches and Cream?".  We would make our little treat and talk about life, he had a way of making the littlest things so fun and memorable.

Peaches are best when they haven't been in cold storage, they stop sweetening when they are picked, so when you go to a store and the peach is blah, it's because it was picked too early and then in cold storage.  To be honest, Washington Peaches cannot be beat they are large and super flavorful. Just on Monday I was driving home from Seattle and I couldn't resist the urge to stop and buy a box of Peaches in Eastern Washington. 

 

Peaches and Cream

Peaches

Half and Half

2% Milk

If you want it a little sweeter:

Sweetened Whipped, Whipping Cream (not Cool Whip)

 

Directions: Peel and cut up your peaches, I have noticed that 1 large peach is enough for 1 person.  Then in a cup mix half & half with 2% milk and then top it off with a little sweetened whipped whipping cream.

 

My dad was a purest and would only use half and half.  I think it's best to mix the half and half with a little 2% milk.  If you want to you can add sugar, personally I don't think you need it but to each their own.

How to Enjoy Peaches all year round! 

I bought a box of peaches when I was traveling from Washington State to Utah, knowing I couldn't eat a box of peaches all by my self.  I ate what I could, peaches and cream everyday for a week and then I peeled cut up and froze the rest.  Now I have two bags of frozen peaches I can use for peach pie, peach smoothies, little snacks or what ever.

How I Freeze my Peaches:
Wash & peal peaches, slice and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet, then place in freezer.  When peaches are frozen put in zip lock freezer bag and store in freezer.

                Enjoy,