The 8th graders at Shining Mountain Waldorf School held a huge peach sale this week and we participated by ordering two cases. Today, the boys and I picked up 40 pounds of luscious local Colorado peaches after dismissal. Hands and faces sticky with juice, the boys dug in before we made it to the car.
Now, we are in peach heaven, flush with fruit. Accordingly, I have been rifling through recipes to find a variety of ways to put our massive haul to good use.
Although it may be an unexpected pairing, I have always enjoyed the combination of peaches and arugula; following is my go to summer salad, which works well for this time of year too.
Peach Arugula Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large peaches, sliced
- 1 (5 ounce) package baby arugula
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, toss peaches and arugula
- Drizzle with green goddess dressing
- Serve
Equipment
I served this at my birthday dinner with my favorite green goddess dressing instead of the vinaigrette above and it was a huge hit. The next night Chris (Josh’s mom) requested that I bring this salad to her house when we made dinner over there for our families. The combination of peaches and arugula is very refreshing and lapped up by adults and children alike. You can also try this salad with my spicy walnut vinaigrette, which has smoked paprika in it for a pungent change of pace.
What is your favorite way to prepare peaches? Please let us know! I still have 37 lbs to go!
athena says
I would never have thought of putting peaches in salad with vinegar and olive oil.. eep. Doesn’t that just ruin the sweet peach flavor pairing it with vinegar and olive?
I love peaches just with their own flavor. My favorite way to have them is in a peach cobbler with a nut crumble crust. Mmmm! Or even a simple lightly stewed peach compote over pancakes! Gosh, now I’m craving peaches like crazy :).
ya'ara says
Hi again,
I just thought of something – make your own dried peaches! Simply slice the peaches very thin and place them on a roof top (or another really hot surface) during the day, covered with a clean cloth, the same way you make sun dried tomatoes.
Another way is to bake them in the oven until dried.
This way you will enjoy them in the fall..
What do you think?
elana says
Kelsey – Delicious; grilled peaches here we come.
Ya’ara – Thanks.
Leslie – My boys will love your peach smoothie recipe; thanks.
Linda Loo – Thanks for your comment.
Penny – Peach sauce with ice cream? Yum!
Dee – Peaches and cinnamon are one of my favorite combos.
Sally – Your salad sounds divine.
Sally says
My favorite way to eat peaches is very similar to your salad. Just replace the arugula with spinach, replace the nuts with feta, and make a dressing of olive oil, rice vinegar, dried mustard, basil, dill, and lots of black pepper. Yum.
Dee/reddirtramblings says
That looks so good. My favorite way to each peaches is just fresh with a tiny bit of sugar. Some Tofutti non-dairy sour cream would be good too. Oh, and sprinkle it with a little cinnamon.~~Dee
Penny says
Thanks Elana! That salad looks delicious!
One of my favorite ways to eat peaches is to “stew” them a little bit in a saucepan with a little sweetener (if needed)until they form a little juicey/syrupey sauce and then serve it with ice cream. (or you could serve it with a scoop of your yoghurt).
Penny
Linda says
Wow! sounds like everything is just peachy there! Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Love your site and I am happy to be subscribed, keep up the good work!.
Checked out Yaara’s site and the pictures are awesome, slight problem in that it is not English, wonder would she consider doing a few in English?. That Brown bread looked amazing!
God bless your day
Linda-Loo
Lesley Prince says
If I have lots of peaches, I like to make peach smoothies by whizzing plain yoghurt, peeled, diced peaches, orange juice and shots of pure vanilla, almond flavouring and honey to taste, if desired. Enjoy!
yaara says
What a lovely idea.. I love fruits in my salad, especially local ones :)
http://www.bishulog.co.il/blog/2008/07/16/mangobabysalad/
Love this site..
Kelsey says
My favorite thing to do with peaches is grill them! You toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper, orange and lemon zest and then put them on the grill! It’s so delicious and really healthy. You should definitely try it.