purees 101 - peach puree

Peach puree is a delicious way to introduce the stone fruit family to your little one.  From mid-May through mid-September peaches are in season in different parts of the country.  They really are the summer fruit. Georgia to Michigan and everywhere in between is growing peaches these days!

If you’ve been here long, you’ll know that we love picking produce.  The summer starts with strawberry picking, then come blueberries, eventually blackberries ripen and then it’s peach sesaon.  In order to pick peaches, we need to venture into Southeast Michigan. This year (2019), however we won’t be able to pick them since a late frost affected many of the peach trees in the area. 

Side note: If you live anywhere near Chicago or will be driving through Southeast Michigan, I would check out Fruit Acres at exit 39 on I-94.  They are the go to fruit stand for us and depending on the season have some u-pick fruits available. We’ve had great success picking there in the past and will surely end up there again this year, to buy from their orchard.  

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How to pick the perfect peach:

Although I recommend using frozen peaches for this puree so that you can make it year round, you may also want to try it with fresh when they are in season. 

To pick a good peach, gently squeeze or press near the top of the fruit, near where the stem was. If the fruit gives a bit and smells sweet, it’s ripe. Peaches get sweeter and juicier as they ripen, so you’ll want to wait till peak ripeness to cook with them.

You’ll also want to see at least a little bit of red coming through, like a blush.  If they are only yellow you’ll find them not as sweet or ripe. Skip they ones that look wrinkly or are hard as a rock.  They aren’t likely to ripen well.

Frozen peaches make a great stand in for fresh

Frozen peaches are my simple trick to making sure I can serve this puree year round. Using a 16 oz bag of frozen peaches saves you time, energy and often money. Simple defrost the peaches for about 20 minutes on the counter and puree. Alternatively you can roast the frozen peaches straight from the bag. I like to sprinkle with cinnamon and roast until the edges get a bit brown and caramelized.

What peach puree so good for your baby?

Peaches contain good fiber which can aid in your babies digestion and can help with constipation.  I was once told that the “P” fruits are the ones you should turn to when you need to help your little one ease the constipation.  Think peaches, plums, pears, prunes. This peach puree can stand in for the whole fruit while you child is young.

Peach puree is great to serve with other purees or soft foods.  This is any easy fruit to pair with anything from green vegetables to greek yogurt.   It also goes well with the following:

• Cooked oatmeal: Either use fresh puree or a frozen cube mixed in 
• Edamame: pair with an edamame cube and shake of ginger 
• Apple: pair with applesauce for a really sweet treat
• Sweet potatoes: this combination is a fiber and nutrition powerhouse and a great bright color pairing

This isn’t a puree only for little ones!

The adults around here really like it too.  We mix into into stir-fry sauces and add it to salad dressing for a little extra sweetness and depth of flavor.  And peach puree easily mixes into drinks if we are feeling fancy, most notably the Peach Bellini.

Looking for other great purees for your little one? Check out these posts:

• Ultimate Guide to making your own baby food
• Blueberry Puree
• Black Bean Puree

📖 Recipe

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