The Mission Possible:Last Tuesday Challenge for July was Crazy for Color. I am too late to make it for Tuesday, but the color that has surrounded me this week is peach. I planned to have my color experience with paint, but the garden had other plans.
The first peaches have started ripening. One of the things I have come to appreciate in growing fruit and vegetables is how they force you to stay in the moment. When it is harvest time you can’t be worrying about what is coming later in life and you don’t have time to dwell on things that once were. There is a job that needs your attention in the here and now. You either take care of it or you miss your chance.
The other thing that I really appreciate about food bearing plants is that they are both beautiful and useful. Of course, this melds perfectly with the William Morris philosophy that I am trying to adhere to. Whenever possible I am including dual purpose plantings in my landscaping now. Not only does the yard look pretty, but I can soak up the atmosphere while taking a bite out of a nice, juicy peach. Not a bad deal all in all.
This morning I got up early and picked a big bowl full of peaches and searched the internet for an interesting peach recipe. At Martha Stewart I found instructions for Peach-Rosemary Jam. So simple-it took only lemon juice, peaches, sugar and rosemary.
I peeled the peaches and sliced them. The ingredients got tossed together and “rested” for four hours to allow the flavors to blend.
The Martha recipe called for sprigs of fresh rosemary which would be removed after infusing the flavor. I did not have fresh, but filled a tea ball with dried rosemary and allowed it to float in the peach mixture.
After the mixture sat at room temperature for four hours it was ready to be heated.
The mixture has a tendency to boil over. In case I had any doubt the first time, I was pretty certain of that tendency the second time it boiled over.
I used the Martha Stewart instructions included with the recipe for the canning/preserving jar preparation.
I need to find another recipe. Peaches are busy ripening on the tree this very minute.
Linking to Mission Possible for Crazy for Color and to Pancakes and French Fries for the William Morris Project.
That sounds delicious! Oh, what I wouldn’t do for a peach tree. I have a plum tree and my dad (nearby) has an apricot and white nectarine tree. There’s nothing like fresh stone fruit off a tree. The supermarket fruit cannot compare.
It really can’t compare. I was thinking that as I sliced up even the most puny peach yesterday.
Yum, Yum, Yum!!! Peach and rosemary jam…delightful. Thank you so much for linking up to our party!!
Karah
Thank you so much for hosting. These parties light a fire under me to get motivated!
I don’t normally crave peaches, but those look do good!
They aren’t as perfect appearing as the ones at the grocery, but-oh, that taste! There is no substitute for ripening on the tree.
This post reminds me of 2 things:
1. the peach orchards in Idaho where we used to go when my 4 kids were wee little ones and help with the harvest. The kids would run in and out and among and through the trees, laughing and playing tag till dark.
2. the lean years when those kids were little that I swear, 65% of our pantry was canned peaches and mac & cheese. Good times.
Your pictures are so enchanting. May I just linger a while and scroll up and down?
You are welcome to stay as long as you would like–any time!
Those memories would make the peaches taste that much sweeter.
What fabulous inspiration – so glad you joined our Color party with your fun post!
Kelly
Not at all what I had planned, but those peaches weren’t picking themselves! Thanks for hosting.
I love your peaches … but mostly love your story. How nature waits for no one. How you can’t put it off by saying oh I’ll just comment on one more blog … paint one more wall …
And that jam looks delicious!
And I’m so very happy that you shared at our Crazy for Color link party!
Linda
http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com
And this week I painted! Day late and dollar short…that is my way. Thanks for the inspiration.
Just wanted to let you know that I shared your delicious peaches on the blog today …
http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/2012/08/coloring-outside-lines-link-party.html
Linda
You made my day! Thanks
We had a super productive peach tree at the farm and last year we canned 30 liters of peaches using this recipe. http://www.noordinaryhomestead.com/canning-peaches/
They’re really good if you put a bunch of them in a bowl, warm them a little and add a few scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream
Plus it’s a quick and easy way to process them when you start to get overloaded with them!
I have been thinking of the ice cream plan. Just picked a bunch more this morning. I am so excited to try canning. I think I will give your recipe a try. Thanks, you give me the best tips!
Yum!! I made jam for the first time this summer, with figs from my mother-in-law’s tree. There is something so satisfying about picking fruit and using it right away. And now I am seriously craving a peach. Yours look delicious!
Fig jam sounds so luscious. I have been so surprised that jams are not difficult at all to make.