It’s peach time here in North Georgia, and I’m making the most of it. I picked up a few baskets from our local farmers market and grabbed even more from a fundraiser at the high school (because how can you say no to fresh peaches and supporting the kids?).
Of course, I saved some to eat fresh—because nothing beats biting into a sweet, juicy peach at its peak. But there was no way I could eat all of those peaches fresh, and even after giving a few away, I needed to use a few fresh ones and freeze the others. Here’s a couple of tips of keeping your peaches fresh, and how I freeze mine.
If they’re still a little firm, leave them on the countertop to ripen. Once they’re ripe and fragrant, you can store them in the refrigerator to slow down spoiling—but try to eat them within a few days for the best flavor.
With my fresh peaches I made a peach cobbler using the same simple recipe I use for my blackberry cobbler. It’s one of those easy, throw-it-together desserts that brings you the taste of summer even in the winter. You can grab that recipe here.
Are Peaches Good for You? Yes, They Are.
Peaches aren’t just delicious—they’re loaded with good stuff too. They’re a great source of:
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Vitamin C, which supports your immune system
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Antioxidants, like polyphenols and carotenoids, which help fight inflammation
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Fiber, to keep things moving along
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Plus, they’re naturally low in calories and hydrating, thanks to their high water content.
Freezing Peaches for Later
Even after eating my fill and baking a cobbler, I still had a good amount of peaches left. I didn’t want them to go to waste, so I froze a bunch for smoothies and peach jelly.
If you want to freeze peaches for later, here’s how I do it:
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Wash and dry the peaches.
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I usually peel mine, but if you’re tossing them into smoothies, you can leave the skin on.
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Slice the peaches and lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Pop the tray in the freezer for about 2 hours, or until the slices are frozen solid.
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Transfer the frozen slices to a ziplock bag or another freezer-safe container.
Freezing them this way keeps the slices from clumping together, so you can grab just what you need later.
Whether you’re eating them fresh, baking, freezing, or preserving, peaches are one of summer’s sweetest gifts. If you’ve got some ripe ones sitting on your counter, don’t wait too long—peach season doesn’t stick around forever. 🍑
What’s your favorite way to use fresh peaches? Let me know—I’m always looking for a new excuse to buy more!
Happy Gardening
Karen
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