Thursday, July 1, 2010

Peach abundance


We planted a freestone peach tree about 8 years ago, thinking it was a dwarf tree...maybe we
should be careful about believing everything we are told at the nursery? It is definitely NOT a dwarf tree, and neither is the tree next to it which is a pluot (apricot/plum) tree. I'm not exaggerating when I say I think there are 10,000 peaches on there.
And really it's my own fault there are so many and they are so small, because I'm the person
who didn't spend days picking off all the little tiny fruits to get the really good big ones. Every year I promise to change, and every year I do not change!


But!!!
I have a few solutions to this peach abundance:

#1 Give as many peaches away as possible, put them in bags and ring your neighbor's door bells and run if you must but make sure these peaches become someone else's property!

#2 Make peach cordial. Get a large jar, cheap vodka, & a lot of sugar. Proceed to layer cleaned pitted peaches & sugar in the jar and then pour vodka over it. Leave it for at least 6 months . Perfect, cause it will be Christmas and if you are clever you can give many containers of this cordial away. After the cordial is ready strain it and pour the liquid into bottles, discard the rest.

#3 Make peach cobbler! Yum yum!

Here is a recipe that my husband got from a co-worker and I adjusted to my personal style & taste.
Preheat oven 375*

Weigh out about 1 1/2-3/4 pounds of pitted peaches.

Cut up the peach pieces & mix with 2 teaspoons corn starch, 1/2 cup sugar, a pinch ground cloves, & 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.



Mix together dry ingredients
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
a pinch of salt
and set aside





Beat together in mixer 1 stick butter & 1 cup sugar for a few minutes. Add 1 egg & 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and beat just a minute longer. Add dry ingredients.

Put the coated fruit in the bottom of a baking dish & drop spoonfuls of the batter on top.
Bake 45-55 minutes.