The "Anyone Hungry Yet?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Having a big bowl of vanilla ice cream piled high with fresh peaches.  If you haven't figured it out yet, peaches are in season on the north end of the east coast.  Peaches are one of my favorite seasonal fruits, coming in probably second to strawberries.  The strawberries are more a spring fruit in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania while the peaches are a late summer and fall fruit.  And, since Lancaster County is known as the "Garden Spot of America", those of us living in Lancaster County should know!  

The peach!

I still enjoy a fresh peach taken right off the tree and eaten with the skin on.  Yes, they tend to be a sticky mess at times, but hey, doesn't take long to rinse off your hands.  For those who can't stand to get their hands a mess, wait until you get home, peel the peach and cut in into pieces.  The largest state producers of peaches in the United States are California, Georgia and South Carolina.  In Lancaster they are probably at their peak right now.  A few different facts about the peach is: (1) It is a member of the rose family, cousin to apricots, cherries, plums and almonds.  (2) It comes in the classic cling-free eating peach, extra sweet and lovely white peach and the doughnut peach.  

The donut peach.

(3) Many farmers will plant orchards with a variety of different peaches so they will extend longer into the growing season.  (4)  The peach sells for months, rather than weeks, like the strawberry.  A couple of things to look for when you buy a peach are:  (1) an even background color of golden yellow for the yellow peaches and a creamy yellow for the white peaches; (2) a well-defined crease along the outside of the peach; (3) a slight softness when giving the peach a slight squeeze -  

Anyone hungry yet?

a note to follow is...don't squeeze the peach with your fingertips which will bruise it, but with your entire hand; (4) peaches that don't have a green stem, since these are not fully ripe;  (5) peaches that have an aromatic smell!   When you get the peaches home put them on your countertop at room temperature until they are fully ripe, then store them in the crisper of your fridge.  So, how do I like to eat my peaches?  Anyway!!  I do like them with the skin, but can cut the skin off, put them on cereal or ice cream just as I have in front of me right how.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.