Summer Treats

Summertime for our family is when we indulge in certain fruits and vegetables: corn on the cob, watermelon, peaches, cherries, and berries of all sorts! I never buy these foods when they are out of season, because of the price and that most of them are imported in the winter. But come summer, we support our local farmers and taste the goodness of the California sunshine! And, they really are a treat when we allow ourselves to enjoy them only a few months out of the year!

We are blessed to live near Brentwood, a small town that is still off the beaten path and offers many fruits and vegetables for us to pick. We went on Memorial Day weekend to pick sweet cherries. They were round, ripe, and ready for us to take them home!

We are also blessed to have friends who grow berries in their backyard (it doesn't get more local or organic than that!) The Oppermans have not only an abundance of raspberries, boysenberries, and blackberries, but also beautiful flowers and vegetables to share with their friends. Every year, they invite the children and me to help pick (and eat) their bountiful harvest! The fence is covered with red and black gems, so many that when you think you're done with one area and turn to another, you would swear that berries had sprouted during the time your back was turned! We braved the small thorns and filled our containers, then I went home and made a berry cobbler. For whatever reason God decided to make berries, I'm glad He did!

And our other favorite summer fruit is yellow peaches, also available in Brentwood. Yesterday, I picked enough for eating and freezing (peel, pit, and slice peaches, put 4 cups in a freezer bag with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of sugar). Then our family enjoys peach cobbler all winter long! (I've included the recipe for all who are interested)                                                                                    

Picking fruit always reminds me that God takes care of us, birds and people alike. He nourishes us with food that is not only nutritious, but colorful, delicious, and a joy to eat!

If you're interested in finding u-pick farms, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, or Christmas tree farms in your area, go to the Pick Your Own website. It also has a calendar showing when crops are in season, and tips on picking and canning. 

PEACH COBBLER

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 cups peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons shortening or canola oil (I prefer oil)

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk (you can also substitute soy or almond milk)

For the peaches:

Mix 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir in peaches and lemon juice. Cook until boiling. Boil and stir for 1 minute. (If you are using your frozen prepared peaches, just thaw peaches, then mix in saucepan with 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Cook and boil likewise.)

Pour peaches into an ungreased 2 quart casserole dish.

For the topping:

Mix flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, baking powder and salt together in bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender, or mix in oil. Stir in milk. Drop dough onto peach mixture by spoonfuls.

Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees F (preheated).