Which fruit is best in December / January?
|Mangoes||Melons||Nectarines||Oranges – Valencia|
Which vegetables are best in December / January?
|Cucumbers||Eggplant||Flat beans||Green beans|
Food in focus – PeachesVersatile and nutritious, the delicious stone fruit we know as the peach can be served fresh, baked, grilled or poached. The peach originates from China and has been cultivated since approximately 1000 BC. Extending west via the silk roads of Persia, they were discovered by Alexander the Great, who introduced them to the Greeks. As well as China, they are now cultivated in Australia, North America, southern Europe, Africa, Japan and South America. They were introduced to North America by Columbus.
What health benefits can be gained by eating peaches?
- Peaches (and nectarines) are a good source of carotenes and flavonoids.
- These include lycopene and lutein - can be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease, macular degeneration and cancer.
- May aid in the stimulation of digestive juices.
What are the nutritional benefits of peaches?
- A good source of vitamin C and beta carotene.
- A good source of dietary fibre, especially pectin – may help to lower cholesterol.
- Low in kilojoules – a medium size contains 150 kilojoules.
- Peaches contain potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamins B1, B2 and B3.
Can everyone eat peaches?
- Peaches contain a small amount of salicylates and can provoke a reaction in people who are sensitive to aspirin.
- Some people may be allergic to peaches and all stone fruit.
- Peaches contain moderate levels of oxalates and may need to be avoided by people who have a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones.
What to look for when buying peaches?Peaches are round and have a fuzzy skin. They have a hard pit or stone in the middle which is surrounded by a soft, pulpy flesh. They generally range in size from 5 to 7.5 centimetres.
- Look for peaches that are yellow or creamy in colour and have a rosy blush on their cheeks.
- Peaches that have a green undertone were picked to early
- Ripe peaches will yield to gentle pressure on the skin.
- If a peach is hard it is unripe.
- If a peach is soft and mushy then it is over-ripe.
- Choose peaches that have an unwrinkled skin.
- Have no bruises.
- Sniff the stem end of the peach and there should be a peachy fragrance.
- Check for tan circles as this is an early sign of decay.
- Organic peaches are best as peaches can be high in pesticide residues.
How to store and prepare peaches?
- Peaches ripen quickly at room temperature.
- Unripe peaches will ripen faster in a brown paper bag.
- Once ripe, store in the refrigerator, where they will keep for three to five days.
- Wash peaches under cold running water if they have been grown organically.
- If non-organic soak in water or produce wash and then wash by hand under cold water.
- Dry carefully with a paper towel.
- They can be served with or without their skin and may need to be sliced to remove the pit.
Tips for serving peaches
- Eat them whole.
- Put them in fruit salads.
- Put them in garden salads.
- Add to porridge.
- Add to yoghurt.
- Put in a smoothie.
- Include in a fresh juice.
- Add chopped peaches to whole-grain pancake batter.
- Put on skewers, brush with honey and grill, bake or barbecue for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Peaches can be stewed and preserved.
- Can be added to your favourite Salsa recipe.
- And for a peachy difference add a slice of peach, instead of strawberry to a glass of champagne for your Christmas celebrations.