At the Saratoga Farmer’s Market this week buy some stone fruit for a unique salsa. Local peaches and plums, part of the stone fruit family, are now available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. Other stone fruit grown locally include cherries and apricots. Stone fruit are characterized by a fleshy fruit with a seed enclosed by a single hard stone, more commonly known as a pit. These fruits do not become sweeter after they are picked, but are often picked a bit under-ripe, so bruising doesn’t occur during long transit. Locally grown stone fruit are harvested at their peak of ripeness making them sweet, juicy and delicious.
The Asian or Italian plums you’ll see at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market are smaller than you’re used to seeing at the grocery store, but they’re sweet and delicious. The Italian plums are oblong in shape and are often referred to as prune plums because they are suitable for drying into prunes.
Choose peaches and plums that are ripe and ready to eat, which are slightly soft at their tip, or firm ones that can ripen at home. Stone fruit won’t get sweeter after harvesting, but they will get softer and juicier. Store them at room temperature until they are soft. What fruit isn’t eaten right away should be stored in the refrigerator. Do not store in a plastic bag unless it’s perforated.
Stone fruit are a good source of antioxidants, including vitamins A and C. Don’t miss your opportunity to indulge in these great summer treats. Be sure to pick up some peaches and plums at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market this week to make the Stone Fruit Salsa recipe below.
Stone Fruit Salsa
2 peaches*
4 small Asian or Italian plums*
1 apple*
1 cup sweet onion*
½-1 jalapeno pepper* (depending on desired spiciness)
1 large garlic clove*
¼ cup fresh mint*
2 tablespoons lime juice
Chop peaches, plums, apple and onion into half or quarter inch pieces. Remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno pepper, and chop it finely. Mince garlic and mint. Mix all produce together in a bowl to make a salsa. Pour lime juice over the salsa and stir in. Serve immediately or for best flavor chill for 6-24 hours before serving.
Enjoy with chips or as an accompaniment to chicken, pork, or fish.
Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition per serving: 35 calories; 0 g fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0 mg sodium; 8 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 1 g protein; 10% vitamin C.
Ingredients marked with an asterisk (*) are available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. For information about food and nutrition contact Diane Whitten at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 885-8995 or email dwhitten@cornell.edu.
