A few years ago, an unusual fruit appeared on the shelves - a bald peach. Outwardly, he is very similar to ordinary, but his skin is not velvety, but as if shaved and rubbed with shine. Some were wary of the new product, the unfamiliar fruit looked too unusual, and the price for it was quite high. And someone dared to immediately try an unusual delicacy - and did not regret it. After all, this unusual peach has a pronounced aroma, excellent taste, and its flesh is juicy. Soon, the word “Nectarine” appeared on the price tags, which everyone is used to today.
Disaster result
Some argue that nectarine appeared as a result of the hard work of breeders who crossed an ordinary peach with either an apple or a plum. In fact, this fruit is the result of a natural mutation that has occurred as a result of worsening living conditions. Trees in one of the Chinese provinces survived frosts, droughts, and even fires in a short time, as a result, the genetic system failed, and nectarine appeared - a bald peach. Today, people successfully cultivate this variety, but in difficult conditions and now on peach trees smooth-skinned fruits sometimes appear. But on the contrary, it never happens - peaches on nectarine trees do not grow.
The benefits of nectarine
Today, bald peaches are unlikely to surprise anyone. What these fruits are called is known by most lovers of fresh fruits. The taste characteristics of nectarine are also widely known. But, unfortunately, many did not even think about its benefits. And she is very great! This fruit was named due to its high content of nectar - a natural organic sugar. Compared with regular peach, smooth skin contains a lot more vitamins, amino acids and valuable trace elements. Nutritionists around the world attribute this fruit to the most valuable healthy food.
Use in baking
Bald peach is widely used in cooking. It does not lose aroma during heat treatment, perfectly retains its shape, its rich taste goes well with many products. Nectarine will harmoniously fit into many recipes for sweet pastries. Strudel, tarts, charlotte and even holiday cakes are cooked with it.
If you do not already have experience cooking nectar dishes, start with a simple one. For example, make a simple fruit cake according to the following recipe:
- 1 cup kefir;
- 1 cup of sugar;
- 1.5 cups flour;
- 1 egg
- slaked soda;
- 2 sliced bald peaches.
Knead the dough, pour it into a greased form, scatter the slices on the surface and send in the oven preheated to 180 ° C for 30-40 minutes.
Jelly
In the preparation of various desserts, bald peach is used for decoration and aroma. Try making berry jelly with it. You can use the finished mixture or gelatin dissolved in natural juice. Follow the instructions on the packaging, otherwise the jelly will be too thick or not solidify at all.
Pour the hot mixture into a bowl or cup, dip the slices of nectarine into it and let it harden. On a hot summer day, both adults and children will enjoy this dessert. And for the winter recipe, you can use canned bald peaches.
Compote for the winter
This fruit is well suited for harvesting. For example, you can make a compote of bald peaches. The recipe is simple:
- 1 liter of water;
- 0.5 kg of fruit;
- 0.3 kg of sugar.
Fruits can be harvested whole or cut into slices (halves). Put the nectarines in prepared jars, pour boiling water, let it brew for about 15 minutes. Then drain the water, add sugar into it and boil again until it is completely dissolved. Fill the nectarines again, immediately roll up and turn the jars upside down. When they cool, transfer them to a dark, cool room.
This compote is perfectly stored due to the high content of ascorbic acid in the pulp of a bald peach. Many housewives love this recipe also because it does not imply pasteurization and other complex processes.
Tasty jam
As well as from usual, from a bald peach prepare jam and jam. Fruits can be carefully divided in half and remove the seeds, or you can cut into cubes or grind to a puree state. In any case, this jam turns out to be very beautiful and mouth-watering - amber-orange, similar to honey.
Make bald peach jam according to the following recipe:
- 1 kg of fruit;
- 1 kg of granulated sugar;
- 1.5-2 tbsp. water;
- 2 tbsp. l lemon juice.
First, put the boiled syrup. While it is boiling, cut the fruit into slices, halves or cubes. Gently immerse them in a hot liquid, darken for 15 minutes and remove the dishes from the heat. Exactly one day later, repeat the heating procedure. On the third day, prepare the jars and lids, put the jam on the stove again. After it boils and boils for a quarter of an hour, pour into jars, seal and set to cool.
In winter, this amber jam, which stores the magical aromas of summer, can be served with pancakes or pancakes, decorate pies and cakes with them, add to milkshakes, sweet cereals, drinks.
Freezing
Another great way to preserve not only a wonderful aroma, but also all the useful elements, is freezing. For this process, you will not need either sugar or other additional products. Just chop the washed nectarines into slices, place them tightly in a container or ordinary bag and send them to the freezer. Bald peach tolerates low temperatures well, does not lose its shape and color. In the cold season, use it to make pies, jelly and stewed fruit. Thawing fruit before use is not necessary.