That Time of the Year 🍑🧡

Freezing peaches like the delightful Palisade variety is a wonderful way to capture summer’s sweetness for months to come. When I first started freezing peaches, I was surprised by how simple the process could be with just a bit of preparation. First, it’s essential to blanch the peaches briefly in boiling water and then cool them in ice water; this helps loosen the skin for easy peeling and preserves the fruit’s texture during freezing. After peeling, slicing, and pitting, I like to toss the peaches with a little lemon juice and sugar to maintain their vibrant color and enhance the flavor. Packing them in freezer bags or airtight containers while removing excess air helps prevent freezer burn, ensuring they stay fresh. When winter arrives, pulling out these bags for a warm homemade peach cobbler feels like inviting summer right into my kitchen. Making the cobbler itself is a joy — a simple mix of sliced peaches, sugar, cinnamon, and a biscuit or crumble topping creates a comforting dessert that’s perfect for cold evenings. Not everything goes to the freezer though; some peaches get turned into fresh cobbler right away, a treat much appreciated by family and friends. The Palisade peach, known for its juicy sweetness and robust flavor, stands out among peaches, making it a favorite to preserve. Finding these peaches, like from local growers or farmers’ markets, supports local agriculture and guarantees freshness. For fellow peach lovers, I recommend investing a few hours in late summer or early fall to enjoy this preservation ritual. It’s rewarding to have homemade, fresh-tasting peaches in January, a reminder of summer’s bounty during the depths of winter.