The end of August is the highlight of our family's summer. It's the time for our favorite fruit taste, the O'Henry Peach. And, it's naturally gluten and dairy free. I was up early this Sunday morning and made a beeline for the Farmer's Market. This summer I had forgotten about the O'Henry Peach! It has a short season of only about three weeks. My daughter crossed her fingers as I headed out the door with my burlap bags and said "Mom, here's hoping we haven't missed the O'Henry!"
It is difficult to stay focused at the Farmer's Market. I get so excited and want to buy each variety of produce. The jewel colors Mother Nature creates begs me to capture the growing season with oil paints, brush, and canvas. But, I must stay on track. There is a flurry of people bustling with carts and bags, and I'm one of them. My eyes dart about searching for the O'Henry vendor. There it is! The bright-eyed farmer proudly announces that this is the last week for the O'Henry Peaches. Aaahhhh, I bought as many as I could carry.
The scent is sweet and fresh. The outside flesh has a delicate fuzz touch, and that familiar blush color. The texture is smooth and juicy. The taste is bright, intense, and literally mouthwatering, especially knowing we will have to wait a full year to have that taste again. To eat an O'Henry Peach peach is to experience all of your senses dancing under the dazzling sun's rays...making for one of those happy culinary moments.
Now that I'm gluten and dairy free, I find my tastebuds have changed. I have a keener sense and appreciate what I'm able to eat. Choices have a whole new meaning. Speaking of choices, what will I make with the O'Henry peaches? I think I'll have one over gluten-free cereal splashed with almond milk, and dinner will be cooked on the grill: O'Henry Peach halves highlighting sirloin steak and arugula salad.
To me, O'Henrys are the perfect peach flavor.