Every year, when Halloween is fast approaching, I remember the peaches. Not just any peaches, THE peaches. Appropriately named “Last Chance” peaches, they are just that. The last chance to taste pure desert sunshine right off the tree before the cold winds of fall howl through the mountains.
M & M Peach Ranch in Lake Hughes California is a Southern California Certified Organic peach, apple, cherry, and pear orchard. Lake Hughes is a tiny outpost in the high desert of inland California, hard up against the foothills of the the Angeles National Forest. It’s hot, dry, windy, and produces the most intensely flavored peaches in existence. They reflect the desert they grow in with a dry-ish meaty texture, perfect for jam, pies, bread, drying, freezing, or just slicing on your cereal.
They’re open one more weekend and then it’s over. Another long wait until the cherries come in April. I believe it is so important to support your local farmer instead of purchasing fruit that does not even grow in this country. Why not buy extra now and freeze for the winter and spring, just like your grandmother did? Beats flavorless fruit shipped thousands of miles every time.
The kind lady at the M & M stand handed out slices of the Peach Bread she had made the night before. Can’t get that at Wal-Mart. She even insisted I write down the recipe instead of trying to sell me a loaf. The bread was delicious, moist and sweet from the peaches. Give it a try, you won’t regret it!
M & M Peach Ranch Peach Bread
3 Cups sliced peaches
2 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar (use 1 cup if the peaches are sweet)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup diced pecans or walnuts or your favorite nuts
6 Tbl. coarse sugar
Heat oven to 325. Grease and flour 2 9 x 5 loaf pan or 2 8 x 4 pans.
Puree the peaches in a blender or food processor. Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, blending well. Add the vanilla. Alternately add the peach puree and the dry ingredients. Don’t over mix. Fold in nuts. Spoon into the prepared pans and sprinkle the tops with the coarse sugar. Bake about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Enjoy immediately with a big smear of cream cheese or wrap tightly and freeze for those cold winter mornings!
M & M Peach Ranch, 48745 3 Points Road, Lake Hughes Ca 93532. 661 724-1398
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