Asia is actually the ancestral home of peaches; early Spanish explorers brought the succulent fruit to the shores of North America in the 16th Century. In fact, historical records indicate that peaches were being cultivated in orchards as early as 1600 in Mexico. Interestingly, the allure of the peach even persuaded Roman Catholic missionaries to create peach orchards when they established missions in California. And of course, Georgia fell so much in love with the peach, they named it their official state symbol.
But did you know the state that produces the most peaches per year isn't even in the American South? In fact Pennsylvania is one of the largest domestic producers of this summertime fruit. (New Jersey comes in a close second.) The center of Pennsylvania's peach-growing industry is located along the state's southern border, primarily York and Adams counties. In fact, the most famous skirmish of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War took place on a site known as the Peach Orchard.
In Pennsylvania, the warm summer months coax dozens of peaches to perfection, even though September marks the official peak of the peach season. It's worth making a trip to the state to pick your own from the dozens of orchards that dot the southern end of the state. But even if you can't make it to Pennsylvania, you can still enjoy the juicy goodness of peaches where you live thanks to local farm markets and produce stands.
When selecting peaches, be sure to look for a creamy, yellow color on the skin; the red blush marks are not true signs of ripeness. The flesh of the peach should be firm, but not hard to the touch. Avoid any peaches that have soft spots or greenish spots on the skin. Peaches can be safely stored in the refrigerator inside a plastic bag in the crisper, but to enjoy their full juicy flavor, let them sit out at room temperature before serving.
And what better way to enjoy peaches then in a pie? Our Peachy Ice Cream Pie, below, features not only peaches, but raspberries (another summertime jewel) in a delicious pie perfect for the end of a Sunday dinner or a lazy weekday afternoon lunch.
Peachy Ice Cream Pie
SERVES 8
Peaches and raspberries are a natural summertime pair, especially in pies. The coconut-and-graham cracker crust adds to the sheer enjoyment of this terrific treat.
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