Peaches are small, juicy, tasty, and nutritious. They are so great that the whole month of August is dedicated to celebrating peaches! There's also an Eat Peach Day on August 22!
We love peaches not only because they're delicious but also because they're packed with healthy compounds like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The fiber found in peaches supports the digestive system, and the antioxidants and vitamin C found in peaches support your health by helping fight oxidative stress, a known cause of many health problems. The other good thing about peaches is that they are low in calories! 1 medium peach contains only 50 calories.
Peaches are also very versatile. They can be eaten raw, baked, grilled, broiled, or sautéed and are easily incorporated into warm or cold dishes and desserts. Here are some of the best ways to showcase this August fruit:
Peach Frozen Yogurt
When the heat starts to kick in, it's time for a healthy and natural magical snack! Try this refreshing, peachy frozen yogurt. Put frozen peaches, honey, yogurt, and lemon juice into a food processor. Blend for about 5 minutes or until it is creamy. Serve the frozen yogurt immediately, or place in the freezer to enjoy later.
Pistachio & Peach Toast
We’re sure that you’ve heard about avocado on toast, but have you heard of peach toast? Spread ricotta cheese on whole wheat bread slices, then top with peaches, chopped pistachios, a drizzle of honey, and a pinch of cinnamon. You will love the taste. Give it a try!
Peach and Spinach Salad with Feta
Who can say no to a refreshing summer salad? Here’s a super easy salad idea with peaches! Place spinach in a large bowl, and set it aside. Then combine vinegar, olive oil, and shallots together. Add this combination to the spinach, and finally, complete your salad with peach slices, feta cheese, and pine nuts. This nutritious salad provides you with protein and is packed with nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber that support your overall wellness.
Sparkling Peach Lemonade
Beat the heat on summer days with a refreshing glass of sparkling peach lemonade! It is super easy to make and very hard to forget the taste. First, make your lemonade by squeezing your own lemons. If you don’t want to deal with manually squeezing the lemons, you can skip this step by buying lemon juice from a store. But remember - homemade lemonade tastes a lot better! Next, add fresh peaches to a blender with lemon juice and blend until smooth. Chill the mixture for about 3 hours in the fridge. Finally, add some sparkling water, mint leaves, and peach slices to boost the taste.
One Skillet Peach Chicken
You can make much more than desserts with peaches. Try making chicken with peaches in a skillet for a classy summer dinner. To start with, cook the chicken thighs in a large skillet, and remove the chicken and cover it with foil. In the same pan, make your peach sauce with the oil from the chicken, onion, rosemary, vinegar, chopped peaches, salt, and mustard. Place the chicken back in the pan and cover it with the sauce. That’s it! Enjoy your healthy and refreshing summer dinner!
Peachy Pizza
If pineapple can go on pizza, why not peach? Top your homemade pizza with mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, peaches, and balsamic vinegar. Now that’s what we call a summer pizza!
Peach Salsa
This recipe for peach salsa is the ultimate summer sauce. You need to choose firmer peaches for this one. Stir diced peaches, minced red onion, minced jalapeno, chopped cilantro, and a little lemon juice in a bowl, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Ta-da! You have a fruity, delicious salsa that you can serve with anything you want, such as chips, salads, grilled chicken, or fish.
