Make at Home: Grilled Peaches

Sweet summertime on the Outer Banks is even sweeter with tree ripened grilled peaches

We love summertime and the soft fuzzy sweetness of a juicy tree-ripened peach. Did you know North Carolina is the 7th top producer of peaches nationally, producing an average of 3.6 million pounds for the fresh market each year.   

If you’ve found yourself with crate of peaches or you go in halves with someone in a CSA, and wondering what else to do with fresh peaches, here are some great ideas. We think you’ll love what we think is another great way to enjoy them, grilled! Peaches are so versatile and pair well with many delicious ingredients like arugula and goat cheese, or sweet like ice cream.

Peaches are super easy to grill and one of summer’s greatest joys

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 

• 4 to 6 Peaches (Freestone work best, but any variety of peaches will be fine)
• Olive Oil

*Optional: butter, rum, brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup for a glaze (any combination of these).

WHAT TO DO

1. Heat a gas grill, or if using a charcoal grill wait until the fire has died down and the embers are white. (In other words, save the peaches for after the burgers)
2. Cut the peaches from stem to stern, i.e. along the seam, all the way around and then twist each half away from their pit.
3. Brush each cut side of the peach with olive oil, and grill, cut side down until the fruit has developed grill marks and begins to soften. This should only be about 5 minutes.
4. Then brush the tops with olive oil, turn them over on the grill moving them to a less direct heat, and cook for another 4 minutes.

Hint: If the peaches aren’t ripe or sweet enough you can always brush them with a sweet glaze mentioned above.

GRILLED PEACH VERSALITY

USES FOR GRILLED PEACHES

• Add a dollop of mascarpone, vanilla ice cream, even a sliver of basil to a grilled peach.
• Add thinly sliced grilled peaches to your insalata caprese, or skewer them.
• Decorate your Sangria with a slice of peach and a sprig of mint.
• Dice them up to make a smoky chutney, relish or spicy salsa.
• Dice or slice peaches and add to pork chops.
• Add to any salad.
• Add to any cereal, yogurt or top with muesli.
• Add them to an iced lemonade or tea.
• Make a grilled peach smoothie… and last but not least,
• Make a smoky grilled peach pizza with prosciutto and goat cheese (recipe here).

FUZZY NAVEL

Give your Fuzzy Navel cocktail a twist by using grilled peaches. Here is a recipe you may like.

TERMINOLOGY

Clingstone vs. Freestone

If you love peaches but always wanted to know what these terms mean, the following definitions are offered by Cooperative Extension:

* Clingstone peaches get their name because the fruit flesh clings to the pit. Clingstone varietals ripen between May and August and have yellow flesh that turns mild red to bright red close to the pit. Clingstones have a soft texture, high sugar content and a juiciness that makes them ideal to eat as a snack and for use in food processing.

* Freestone refers to peaches with flesh that removes easily from the pit. Like Clingstone varietals, Freestones are good to eat fresh as a snack. However, their firm texture, relatively low level of juiciness and mild sugar content make them ideal for baking purposes. They do not mask other flavors and maintain much of their firmness when exposed to heat.

Source N.C. Cooperative Extension

LIFE’S A PEACH

We like to say “Life’s a beach,” but in this case you know what we mean… so if grilling and chilling at the beach is your dream we can help. Enjoy time with family and friends while grilling in your own backyard oasis, beachfront vacation home or on the sound at sunset.

If this interests you, we have model homes open in Kill Devil Hills, Corolla and just 15 minutes to the Outer Banks in Grandy, with new homes starting in the $300s! We can build on your site our ours, just like the peach, we’re very versatile.

Reach out to one of the exceptional SAGA Realty and Construction real estate agents to learn more at 252.301.3090.