Peaches
How to store:
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Perfectly Ripe Peaches. If the peaches you have at hand are perfectly ripe but you aren't quite ready to eat them, simply store them in the fridge.
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Not-Quite-Ready-to-Eat Peaches. If, however, your peaches could stand to be a wee bit softer, a wad more fragrant, keep them on the kitchen counter.
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Firm Peaches. For peaches that are still quite firm and you'd like to get them moving along the ripening path, put them in a paper bag—it will capture the ethylene ...
A favorite farm recipe:
Ingredients
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For the peach filling
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5 pounds fresh sliced peaches, about 14 medium peaches
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1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
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1/3 cup all purpose flour
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1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon cardamom, or nutmeg
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1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
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For the cobbler topping
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2 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
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1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 cup buttermilk, cheater version okay, see notes
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1 egg
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1/2 cup cold butter, chopped into chunks
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2 tablespoons sugar, granulated or raw sugar or both
Directions
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For the peach filling
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Start by preparing your peaches. Peel with a vegetable peeler if they are firm. If they are ripe, a vegetable peeler will bruise them so it's best to blanch: bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the peaches a few at a time so that they are totally submerged. Let boil for 30-45 seconds. Remove from the boiling water. When they are cool enough to handle, use your hands to easily remove the peels. Slice the peaches. You should end up with about 9 cups of sliced peaches. Add your peaches to a 9x13 inch casserole dish (no need to grease the pan).
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Top your peaches with 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar. You can use a little more sugar (up to 2 cups) if your peaches are under ripe. Or use about 1 and 1/4 cups sugar if they are super sweet.
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Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom (or nutmeg), and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt on the peaches. Gently stir the mixture together, being careful not to bruise and break the peaches. Set aside.
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For the cobbler topping
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Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
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In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients: 2 and 1/2 cups flour, 1 and 1/2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Whisk it together.
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In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1/2 cup buttermilk*. Pour it into the bowl with the flour, then use a pastry cutter to cut it into the flour, making a shaggy dough. You can use a spoon if you don't have a pastry cutter, be sure to use a cutting motion rather than stirring. It's okay if there are still some dry spots of flour, see photos. Pour the flour mixture on top of the peaches and spread around evenly.
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Chop a stick of butter into 1/2 inch pieces. Scatter evenly over the top of the flour mixture.
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Sprinkle 2 or 3 tablespoons sugar over the top. I used half granulated sugar and half demerara (raw) sugar to give it extra crunch.
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Bake at 375 for 45-55 minutes. The top should be turning light brown. Once it is light brown all over the top (not just in a few spots) and it's bubbling like crazy, it's done. I like to turn on my broiler and broil the cobbler for 1-3 minutes at this point. No need to move the oven rack up. It gives it an extra crisp browning that I just love. Who doesn't want a crispy crunchy top? But don't walk away! Keep an eye on it, I can't tell you how many things I've lit on fire in my broiler. Check it every 60 seconds.
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You are supposed to let it cool completely. Hogwash! Wait 15 minutes to let the juices set up and then dig in! Vanilla ice cream is pretty much essential for serving.
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Store leftovers covered on the counter.
We grow Lovell Peaches in our orchard at Mortimer Farms.