Learn how to pick the sweetest peaches in the store with this easy tidbit. Also a review of what might be the world's largest peach, and a recipe for a Peach Dessert Quesadilla.
In case you are just tuning in, welcome to our Person Peach Series. This summer I am receiving 7 boxes of peaches from Pearson Farm near Fort Valley, Georgia. Each box will contain a different variety of Prince peaches. It’s a fantastic way to experience the different flavors, textures, and colors of the peach.
Have you ever noticed that on some peaches and nectarines, there are some small spots? Have you ever wondered what those were?
They tend to appear on the bottom part of the fruit further away from the stem.
Is something wrong with the peaches? On the contrary there is something very right with them.
? Sugar Spots
These spots are called sugar spots. The spots are actually sugars crystallizing on the outside of the fruit. When you see this, it indicates you are getting a pretty sweet piece of fruit. The Early August Prince peaches I received in this week's shipment displayed some sugar spotting. The moment I saw that I knew they were going to be pretty good. The peaches and nectarines that you find the spots on are the ones you want to buy!
Pearson Farm Fact - If you are ever in the Fort Valley, Georgia area you can stop in at Pearson Farm. You can see how they pack their peaches, enjoy their retail stores, eat some homemade ice cream (peach and butter pecan!), and more. I have heard some serious good things about the peach ice cream. The season runs from May until mid August and they are open Monday - Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm.
⚫ Black Spots
What you don't want to see is black spots. Sugar spot are orangish. Black spots means something is wrong with the fruit. You can cut the peach open to see what it looks like on the outside. Most cases I would have to toss them.
But honestly I have not found this happen to peaches I buy. If they go back they either have a rotting spot or are wrinkly.
? Early August Prince Peach Review
The peach that features those beautiful spots is called the Early August Prince Peach. It is a new variety created with the hope of extending the peach season. It's a pretty good peach, the sweetest one I have received (more on why that is in a moment).
These peaches are big in size. And this is not a case where jumbo fruit means bland fruit. Early August Prince holds it own when it comes to flavor. They are a freestone peach, so the pit is easy to remove with no trouble at all - a great feature when you have to pit a lot of peaches for something like a pie or jam.
The downside of this peach variety is that the trees don't produce well every year. 2018 was a good year for them at Pearson Farm, so I am fortunate to be able to enjoy them, and enjoy them I certainly did!
? The World's Largest Peach?
As I said Early August Prince peaches run on the big side. Maybe record breaking big. One of the peaches from this year's harvest weighed in as a whopping 1.8 pounds!!!! Pearson Farm actually contacted Guinness because the record they listed was 1.12 pounds. It's not official yet, but hopefully Guinness will bestow the honor upon Pearson Farm.
? Peach Quesadilla Recipe
The simple quesadilla - what is not to love about a tortilla filled with melted cheese? It is a simple delight. It got me thinking, what if I made a dessert quesadilla with peaches? Woah! Take a moment......I know your mind has been blown now.
The secret to these peach quesadilla is, first slicing the peaches thin enough so they can cook before the tortilla burns. Second, adding a layer of mascarpone cheese mixed with a little bit of vanilla extract. Cook that bad boy up and sprinkle some powdered sugar and cinnamon on top. It's a quick, simply easy dessert that will leave everyone wondering why they never tried making a dessert quesadilla before.
In case you have never mascarpone cheese before you can find at most grocery stores either where the cream cheese would be or the specialty cheese section near the deli, it should be near the brie - which you could use for this recipe if you wanted as well.
I love to pull out my electric griddle for cooking quesadillas. I can cook multiple ones at the same time, which you can't do if you are just using a frying pan. The Presto Electric Griddle has never done me wrong.
Ingredients
- 1 peach, sliced thin
- 3 TBSP mascarpone cheese
- 1 ½ TBSP powdered sugar
- 1-2 drops vanilla extract
- 6 soft taco sized tortillas
- butter for coating your pan
For dusting the tortillas
- cinnamon
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- Remove the pit from your peach. Slice your peach thinly. Set aside
- Combine mascarpone cheese and the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add a drop or two of vanilla extract.
- Heat up a frying pan or electric griddle to high heat.
- Spread a thin layer of mascarpone on 3 tortillas, leaving some room at the edges.
- Evenly distribute the peaches among the tortillas
- Spread a thin layer of mascarpone on 3 more tortillas, and place them on top of the tortillas with the peaches.
- Butter your cooking surface, and add the tortilla(s). Cook until brown on one side and carefully flip over.
- When all the tortillas are done dust with powdered sugar and cinnamon
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