4 Ways to Make the Most of the End of Peach Season
Where does the time go?
Summer is quickly coming to a close and fall will bring shorter days and cooler temperatures. As the seasons change, so do the produce offerings at grocery stores and farmer’s markets. While it’s sad to see cherries, melons, and stone fruits disappear, we can all take a minute to celebrate an abundant peach harvest this year.
South Carolinians love peaches – after all it IS our state fruit. Just stop by any farmer’s market in downtown Charleston and you’re sure to find some of the sweetest, juiciest peaches you’ve ever tasted. During your visit to Charleston, you can take it a step further and enjoy an experience that pairs some of Charleston’s best chef’s with produce from Charleston’s award-winning farmer’s markets during our nationally ranked three-hour Farm-to-Table Experience.
During this delectable culinary tour, your chef will take you through the farmer’s market to select the freshest ingredients for your day’s meal. Following a 45-minute walking tour of downtown with your certified Charleston tour guide, you’ll return to enjoy the delicious multi-course meal prepared by your chef using the selected ingredients. These tours are available Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. mid-April through mid-December.
And, if you don’t get your fill of peaches during your visit, or if you have peach trees of your own bursting this harvest, here are four ways to make the most of peach season!
1) Canning. Fresh fruit only lasts for a few days, maybe a week at most. Canning, on the other hand, can extend a fruit’s lifespan between one and five years. Plus, peaches are incredibly can-friendly. It doesn’t matter whether you can sliced peaches, whole peaches, or peach cubes, the result is always the same: a delicious snack on hand in your pantry.
2) Baking. If canning isn’t your thing, maybe baking is. There’s no shortage of recipe options, either. From peach cobbler and peach pie to peach scones and peach pancakes, there’s something for everyone, even if your sweet tooth isn’t that sweet. If your pallet is more refined, consider something a little more avant-garde like grilled blue-cheese and peach sandwiches or vegan, gelatin-free fluffy peach mousse.
3) Beverages. Peaches are incredibly sweet. They’re also incredibly juicy! You can’t stick a straw in the side and start drinking, but if you have a juicer or blender, you can make smoothies, cocktails, peach lemonade, and other creations. If you don’t drink alcohol, consider making a “mocktail” or trying your hand at a sparkling peach punch. Get creative and have fun. If you make a concoction that’s too sweet, dump it out and start over again.
4) Salads. Peaches are often associated with desserts, but they make excellent additions to main courses and salads, too. The flavor of peaches is incredibly versatile and goes well with an array of vegetables including spinach, avocado, mint, and arugula. If you don’t want to incorporate peach slices or chunks into your salad, consider making a dressing using the peach juice. For added flavor, you can mix in olive oil, salt, or balsamic vinegar.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to truly experience peaches this season.