MADDIE DAY here, bringing you a new favorite recipe.
I grew up in southern California with two laden peach trees in our back yard, one producing yellow peaches and one white, among many other fruit trees and bushes (lemon, plum, guava, fig, apricot, boysenberry, and more...).
The peach season here in New England is short, and for years I've eaten as many from a local farm as I could. Imagine my chagrin and disappointment when I was diagnosed about five years ago with an oral allergy to all raw northern tree fruits. I can eat citrus, tropical fruits, and northern berries with no reaction (thank goodness), but the category includes my beloved peaches, as well as apples, pears, cherries, apricots, and so on.
Yes, this is a wretched situation, but at least I can eat any of those fruits if they are cooked. (In case you're interested, washing and peeling any of those fruits had no effect on my itchy lips, and I'm glad to be under the care of a good allergist.)
Still, a short person with a slow metabolism can only eat so much peach pie! So what was I do? Readers, I found an easy recipe for poached peaches, and I bring it to you today.
Poached Peaches
Ingredients
3-4 peaches, pitted, and cut into halves
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 sprig of rosemary
1-2 inch cinnamon stick
Directions
In a medium-sized saucepan, add water and sugar on low-medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and is at a simmer. Add the rosemary and cinnamon stick. Add the halved peaches into the boiling water, cut-side facing downwards.
Let them cook in the syrup for 5-10 minutes and then flip them over.
Using a sharp knife, poke in to check if the peaches are soft and tender. This can take around 20 minutes in total, although the cooking time varies based on ripeness of the peach.
Once the fruit is cooked, remove the peaches from the syrup using a slotted spoon. Peel off the peach skins. Make another batch for the rest of the fruit if they didn't all fit in the first pan.
Serve the peaches warm as is or sliced into wedges, along with a drizzle of the same syrup. You can also add ice cream to turn it into a delicious summery dessert or have it as a healthy breakfast option along with yogurt and granola.
I saved the poaching syrup and used it for a second batch, and I have more for a third batch or to top up peaches on ice cream. It's so pretty from the skins' pink color!
Readers: How do you like your summer fruit, if not fresh?
Since I learned to eat peaches in my native California, I'd love to send one of you an ARC of my next California-based mystery, Deadly Crush, which releases during Thanksgiving week.
🍑🕮🕮🍑
Murder at the Rusty Anchor is out and available wherever books are sold!
My most recent releases are A Case for the Ladies.
And Murder Uncorked, Cece Barton Mystery #1, which released in late October.
Check out all my writing:
We hope you'll visit Maddie and her Agatha Award-winning alter ego Edith Maxwell on our web site, sign up for our monthly newsletter, visit us on social media, and check our all our books and short stories.
Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell) is a talented amateur chef and holds a PhD in Linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-winning and bestselling author, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and also writes award-winning short crime fiction. She lives with her beau and sweet cat Martin north of Boston, where she’s currently working on her next mystery when she isn’t cooking up something delectable in the kitchen.
So sorry about your fruit allergy, that stinks. When I was a kid we had two peach trees in our back yard. My mom would make jelly, freeze them, make pies and home made peach ice cream. I sure miss those fresh peaches.
ReplyDeleteMy mom made homemade peach ice cream, too!
DeleteThank you for the recipe. I have a friend with the same issue. I’ll pass it along! I used to make peach jam. One of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteYummy!
DeleteResourceful. A friend had a mango tree and a husband who couldn't even touch a mango. They invited everyone to take the mangos when ripe. I've adapted to no potatoes, bananas, or avocados -- but it was a struggle. -- Storyteller Mary
ReplyDeleteYou have my sympathy, Mary!
DeleteMy Granny use to make something very similar (memory doesn't remember the rosemary, but then again that was decades ago) and then can them for winter enjoyment. One of her favorite peaches to do this was the Indian Peach since it comes off later in the season. Thank you for the recipe and for bringing up some wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteSince I've had the great privilege of reading this fabulous 5 star book, I'm not entering the contest. <3
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Fresh summer fruit is my favorite, by far. If not fresh, I would say cherry jam or cobbler is great!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I like to make peach cobbler or with any other fruit like blueberry or blackberry. Thank you Deborah deborahortega229@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteNice solution!
ReplyDeletePie, crisp, jam, muffins, by themselves or over a bit of ice cream....any dessert pretty much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe. I have two peach trees and always looking for new recipes to add to our favorites every year.
kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
i like to eat them in a pie.
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love peach ice cream or a fresh peach sundae. Your cooked peaches sound like the spiced peaches we would serve at holiday meals. patdupuy@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad allergy. I love the summer fruits. Peaches are lovely when grilled. Cut them in half and place on the grill, cut side down. They are a great complement to chicken or white fish. My mom used to make spiced peaches and can them to eat throughout the winter. Will have to look for that recipe! No need to enter me in the drawing. I won a copy in an earlier drawing. Just got it, thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your unusual allergy. Being from Michigan, I love fresh fruit. I like it right from the orchard or farms. We have lots of apple and peach orchards and berry farms and they are so good when they are in season.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy a lot of different fruit in jams! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI love summer fruit. I eat it as it is and cook some to top pancakes and waffles. Thank you for this chance. areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI like a nice crumble.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in Northern CA my whole life. I love fresh peaches!
ReplyDeleteoops! lindaherold999@gmail.com
DeleteI have also developed the same problem. I make peach muffins, peach bread and cobbler. I do the same with apples. One learns to adjust and make the best of a crummy situation. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWow, I've never heard of anyone else with it, Cherie! We're in an unlucky club, I guess.
DeleteMy grandma's recipe for peach freezer jam is my absolute favorite way to enjoy peaches beyond the summer months.
ReplyDeleteMarciawythe@hotmail.com
I love the idea of warm peaches with ice cream.
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
You are the lucky winner, Libby! Congratulations, and please check your email.
DeleteLibby Dodd is the lucky winner! Congratulations, Libby, and please check your email.
ReplyDeleteI like fruit crumbles.
ReplyDelete