Very Cool Peaches
The lovely peach originates from China, although as its botanical name (Prunus persica) indicates Europeans thought – in the 18th century – that it came from Persia. Peaches seemed to have been introduced to Southern Europe via the Silk Road in Antiquity. They were brought by the Spaniards to the Americas where adopted by a number of Indian tribes at least in North America. A Wikipedia map shows that peaches are also cultivated in the temperate areas of South America.
Their adoption by many peoples is no wonder as a ripe peach is a gift from God. I certainly thought so this week-end as I was going through the bushel of peaches I bought Friday – almost dizzy with their heady scent. It was hot this week-end, so I wanted to minimize cooking indoor. One perfect way to use those fragrant sun-charged wonders is to make Peach Sorbet.
My recipe comes almost straight from the book Chez Panisse Desserts by Lindsay Remolif Shere: that is, I use their proportions and process – mostly – , but I rewrote the recipe to fit my recipe style. I have tried several other recipes from different sources, but I like the Chez Panisse one better as it is simpler, has few ingredients (basically peach & sugar!) and results in a very clean peachy taste. Chez Panisse does not specify which kind of peaches to use: I use white peaches for this sorbet, as they are sweeter than the yellow ones, and they produce a lovely pale sorbet that’s has a very creamy mouth feel.
White Peach Sorbet
Yields about 1 (generous) quart
1 ¾ pound very ripe white peaches
2 tablespoon water
¾ cup sugar
Lemon to taste
1 tablespoon peach or apricot liqueur (Chez Panisse calls for kirsch to taste); homemade‘s ok
– Over a non-reactive sauce pan (so you can catch all the juices), halve, pit and peel the peaches. Add the water, and heat up slowly until the peaches are warmed through (you want them to be just cooked to preserve that lovely color)
– Puree the peaches in a blender (you should have 3 cups), carefully add the sugar – it’s hot – and carefully pulse to dissolve sugar.
– Chill thoroughly (typically I do this the night before churning the sorbet). Taste and add lemon juice if desired. Add the liqueur.
– Process in your ice-cream maker following the manufacturer’s instruction. Firm in the freezer – if you can resist. Make sure to leave plenty on the blade/beater to lick off surreptitiously…
Locavore Log: peaches from an orchard down the road, homemade peach liqueur
In your peach sorbet recipe, you said “over a non-reactive sauce pan”. What is this kind of
sauce pan? Also, how does one prevent the white peaches from turning darker? My white peaches turned darker after I pureed them.
Hi Mary Ann:
don’t use aluminum, copper or iron – or any alloy that contains those metals. They can have a chemical reaction with the acid in the fruit, affecting color and/or taste. Use enamel, graniteware, stainless steel or glass.
The sorbet should be a lovely pale pink. If it’s darker several things might have happen:
– the peaches should be peeled. The skin brings a darker color to it – redder actually
– Make sure the peaches are fully heated through before pureeing. They should be cooked – albeit lightly – to stop the oxidation process (darkening)
– lemon juice is often used to stop oxydation (think apples or avocado) but I think it’s just easier to ensure the peaches are lightly cooked.
Hope that helps.
Sylvie
Thanks Sylvie. I’ll try again. This recipe has good flavor. I used Peach Schnapps as I did not have any liqueur in the house. Also served this sorbet with blackberries. What a great easy dessert.