Peach Delicious Fruit Distinctive Flavors

Peach Guilt Free Flavor

Peach breeding advanced the peach industry as a hole enhancing the quality of the fruit through environmental orchard factors.  Hundreds of nectarine and peach cultivars are known as classified into two categories: clingstones and freestones. Clingstone types are typically used for canning purposes preserving food or for freezing up to one year.  Freestone peach types are preferred eaten fresh available in mid June to August sold as seasonal fruit.

The United States of Georgia is referred to as the Peach State due to the significant production of peaches as early as 1571 with exports to other states in 1858. World productions of peaches combined with nectarines supplied 24.5 million tons of fruit in 2018. Peaches are readily available canned or frozen throughout the year; flavor may vary depending on the type. Peaches can be made into delicious low calorie recipes including entrees, side dishes, and desserts.

Peach Preserves

Sugar free Peach preserves can be used to complement many recipes used in yogurt, dressings or toppings. Jam is made from chopped pureed fruit rather than fruit juice slowly cooked down rendering the fruit briefly cooked on the stovetop combined with fruit pectin, sugar substitute until desired consistency is achieved. 

3 ½ pounds Peaches pitted, skin on, diced

¾ cup Pomona Peach juice

1 tablespoon pure peach extract

1 (1.75) ounce package Sure Jell pectin 

¼ cup Splenda sugar substitute

½ tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed

Instructions

1.) Combine diced peaches, Pomona peach juice, pure peach extract, Sure Jell pectin in an 8 inch saucepot. Gradually heat the ingredients to a boil while stirring to dissolve the pectin cooking the fruit for one minute to thicken.  Remove from the heat. 

2.) Add Splenda sugar substitute, lemon juice to the preserves stirring to combine ingredients. Ladle preserves into prepared sterilized mason jars filling to ⅛ of an inch from the top rim.  Wipe the threads and rim of the jar with a clean towel. Cover the jars with lids and rings. Screw the bands tightly to seal. Place the jars on an elevated rack inside a 21.5 quart canning pot. 

3.) Cover the sealed jars with water.  Bring the water to a simmer cooking for 10 minutes.  Remove the jars from the water using a jar lifter tong.  Place the jars on a kitchen towel to cool completely for 2-3 hours.  Check the seal pressing the middle of the lid with your finger to see if the lid springs back. When canning follow safety procedures guidelines to ensure best results.

Peach preserves can be used in many recipes, topped on low fat yogurt, added to dressings or used a condiment eaten throughout the year. Grilled peaches are especially delicious eaten with a vanilla yogurt and a dollop of peach preserves as a low calorie dessert 

Peaches & Cream Smoothie ½ cup peaches, pitted, skin on, diced, 12 ounces of water, ½ cup unsweetened soy milk, 3 tablespoons of Skinny Syrups, ½ cup chopped frozen peaches, pitted, skin on, Puree ingredients in a blender. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Patricia Lynn

Photo by LUM3N on Unsplash Green leaves/ Peaches

Photo Courtesy of riate at Pixbay