Peaches, one of summer's favorite fruits, are at their peak ripeness and sweetness right now.  Purchase peaches today to savor the flavor and excellent nutrition that they bring to the table. 

Peach season starts in May and runs through August.  To select the best peaches, use your hand and feel the flesh of a peach; it should have a slight give.  Peaches bruise very easily, so be sure to be gentle when selecting peaches and getting them home. 

A large peach has fewer than 70 calories and contains 3 grams of fiber. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and C. The fiber in peaches helps you feel full and makes a great snack.  The vitamins A and C support healthy skin and are important for overall health.  For added nutrition, pair a peach with a handful of almonds or string cheese stick. 

During the summer when in season, choose fresh peaches.  Fresh peaches during the summer months will have unmatched flavor and are less expensive compared to the other times during the year.  However, throughout the rest of the year, no sugar added canned and frozen options are just as nutritious!  The canning and freezing processes seal in the great nutrients of the peaches. 

Of course peaches are great alone or in smoothies; however, they also are versatile in many meals.  Whether as a side or part of a sauce or entree, the sweet flavor is a great addition to many dishes.  Peaches make an excellent compliment to pork and chicken as well as fish.  Try adding peaches to salsa and serve with fish. Peaches can be grilled with chicken or baked with pork. 

Peaches can also be pureed and used in place of half to all oil in select recipes, depending on the type of baked good.  For example, if making a cake using Our Family yellow cake mix, puree one can of Our Family no sugar added peaches, including the liquid in the can, and simply measure out and use in place of the oil.  The peaches will add flavor and a little fiber while decreasing the fat. Pureed peaches can also be incorporated into cookies or used as a topping for ice cream. 

In addition to added nutrition, let your culinary curiosity explore the wonderful flavor of peaches in this recipe:

Pork Chops with Peaches
Recipe from Real Simple  

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Our Family olive oil
• 4 Open Acres bone-in pork chops (3/4 inch thick; about 2 pounds total)
• Our Family salt
• Our Family black pepper
• 2 peaches, cut into wedges 1 small red onion, cut into thin wedges
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the pork with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
3. Add the peaches, onion, vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper to the skillet and cook, tossing, for 1 minute.
4. Return the pork (and any accumulated juices) to the skillet. Transfer to oven and roast until the pork is cooked through and the peaches are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Sprinkle the pork and peaches with the basil.  Serve with brown rice. 

"This medical and/or nutritional information is not intended to be a substitute for individual advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition."

Stephanie Edson Regional Wellness Specialist
Stephanie is an award-winning registered dietitian who believes in empowering every individual to make nutritious food choices to support a healthy lifestyle. She believes in the power of food as medicine and loves sharing about nutrition with others.