Peaches have made their long awaited return to farmers markets! You can find this summer favorite from Creasman Farms (Asheville City, Black Mountain, North Asheville, and West Asheville markets), Lyda & Sons Family Orchard (Weaverville Tailgate Market), Lee’s One Fortune Farm (Asheville City, Black Mountain, East Asheville, River Arts District, and West Asheville markets) and McConnell Farms (North Asheville Tailgate Market).
This fresh peach salsa is a simple and versatile recipe bursting with summer flavor! Start by dicing three ripe peaches into half-inch pieces, finely dicing half a red onion, half a red bell pepper, one tomato, one jalapeño, and chopping half a cup of cilantro. Add ingredients to a large bowl, then toss together with the juice of one or two limes, and salt and pepper to taste until ingredients are well combined. Enjoy with tortilla chips, in tacos, served over grilled fish or chicken, or even as a peach bruschetta! Tomatoes for this recipe can be found at markets this week. Look for fresh heirloom varieties, cherry tomatoes and slicers from vendors like Olivette Farm (Asheville City and East Asheville markets) and Full Sun Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets).
Looking for a way to cool down during these warm July evenings? Try these deliciously creamy peach and honey popsicles. Add three peeled and sliced peaches to a parchment paper lined baking sheet, then gently drizzle two tablespoons of honey and a dash of salt evenly over the top. Roast at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through. While the fruit is roasting, blend together two cups of greek yogurt, a quarter cup of honey, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Let the peaches cool, then scrape the fruit and all of their juices into the yogurt mixture, folding together with a big spoon. Transfer the yogurt blend into popsicle molds or small cups, insert popsicle sticks, then freeze for at least four hours. Once they’re done freezing, pop them out of their molds and enjoy immediately!
Peach pizza is an offbeat, yet delicious way to enjoy the fruit this season. The combination of savory flavors with the sweetness of peaches makes for the perfect go-to lunch recipe for this summer. Start by thawing 16 ounces of pre-made pizza dough according to package directions. Grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet with cooking oil, then press the thawed dough into the pan into a circle. Brush the dough with olive oil, sprinkle on one-and-one-fourth cups shredded mozzarella cheese, one-third cup of gruyere cheese, then add one or two thinly sliced peaches and three slices of cooked bacon (omit bacon to make this recipe vegetarian). Bake in a 450-degree oven for 13 minutes, sprinkle on some fresh basil, then bake for another five minutes until the edges are golden brown. Garnish with more fresh basil and a drizzle of honey, and enjoy!
At farmers markets now you’ll also find raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, summer squash, potatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, beets, radishes, mushrooms, and greens like lettuce, kale, and bok choy. Markets are also stocked with a variety of plant starts, meats, cheese, rice, pasta, bread, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.