By Patrice Powers-Boothe, OSU Extension Lucas County
The Truth Contributor
August has been known as National Peach Month since 1982. This is the month of peak-time for fresh peaches in Ohio. In Ohio, it is possible to grow your own peach tree, although one challenge is if we have a late freeze at the end of winter – peach trees are sensitive to the cold, especially if they have already bloomed. Georgia is affectionately known as the Peach State, but California, South Carolina and New Jersey also produce large amounts of peaches.
Fresh peaches provide some vitamins A and C in addition to potassium and fiber. While nothing beats a fresh, in-season peach, the following recipes could use canned or frozen (and thawed) peaches. We are fortunate to be able to enjoy the fruit in so many ways. The following peach recipes can be adults and are child friendly and simple to make.
Chamomile Peach Tea from Chop Chop Magazine
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 chamomile tea bags
- 4 cups just-boiled water
- 5 tablespoons honey
- 1 very ripe peach, pitted and chopped
- Ice cubes, for serving
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put the tea bags in the pitcher, add the boiling water, and let steep until the water is cool enough to touch, about 15 minutes. Use the spoon to remove the tea bags. Throw away or compost the tea bags.
Put two cups of the cooled tea, the honey, chopped peach, and a pinch of salt in the blender. Put the top on tightly. Turn the blender to medium to start chopping the fruit. Adjust the blender to high speed and blend until the peach is fully pureed into the tea, 30 to 60 seconds. Add the remaining two cups cooled tea and blend again. If you like, pour the mixture through the strainer to remove the little bits of peach skin.
Pour the tea into the glasses, add some ice cubes, and serve right away. Or cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Stir well before serving.
Cider Peach Chicken from Dole, Serves four
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium onion, thinly sliced, about 2 cups
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 1 1/2lb.
2 can (15oz.each) sliced peaches, lite. drained
1½ tsps. chopped fresh rosemary (or 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed)
2 Tbsps. cider vinegar
⅛ tsp. dried red pepper flakes, optional
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; spray with non-stick cooking spray. Cook onion 4 minutes or until golden brown; stir in garlic and cook 15 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Push onion to one side of skillet and add chicken; cook 2 minutes, then turn chicken. Arrange onion around chicken and top with peach slices. Sprinkle with rosemary; cover, reduce to medium-low and cook 5 minutes. Turn chicken and season lightly with salt, if desired, and cook 5 to 6 minutes or until chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit inside.
- Remove chicken and cover to keep warm. Gently stir in vinegar and red pepper flakes (if desired) into peach mixture. Increase heat to medium-high; bring to a boil and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Spoon equal amounts of peach mixture over chicken breasts. Serve with rice, if desired.
Cucumber Peach Salad from Chop Chop Magazine
INGREDIENTS:
2 ripe peaches, pitted and diced
1 English cucumber (long ones), diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime, lemon, or orange juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS: Put all the ingredients in the bowl and stir gently. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate up to overnight.
GET CREATIVE:
For an herby salad: Add 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, mint, parsley, or basil leaves.
For a spicy salad or salsa: Add 1 or 2 seeded and minced jalapeno peppers.
2021 Metro Beet Urban Community Garden and Farm Tour. This year, the following organizations have partnered to host urban farm and community garden “open houses” , in the Toledo area, once a month during the growing season: CSU Extension, 577 Foundation, Moe Urban Farm, OSU Extension and Toledo GROWs. Some farms and gardens have been on the tour in June and July and will continue for August and September. In addition, other sites have been added each month. At the time of this article, the final list of stops for August is not yet published but mark your calendar and check out your favorite sites on Friday August 13 from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday August 14 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.. You visit the sites you’d like during the hours of the garden tour. Metro Beet is on Facebook and Instagram. I can’t promise that they have any peach trees, but it is amazing to see all the different plants, gardens, garden art and people who are growing in our area!