One of the most awaited moments of summer in Eastern Canada is the arrival of Ontario peaches. I really believe biting into one of those fully ripe peachy globes, feeling the oh so sweet gorgeous pulp hit your taste buds and wiping that juice dribbling down your chin is heaven.

You can usually by them in large container of about 8 to 10 peaches. If they are ripe at purchase you better eat them very quick or use them in a recipe. Most would associate this fruit to a sweet dessert confection but peaches can tend themselves to savory recipes as well.

Peach Salsa recipe

Ingredients:

3 peaches peeled, pitted and chopped.
2 green onions, chopped.
1 fresh hot chili pepper, seeded and minced.
¼ cup of cilantro, chopped.
1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.
1 tablespoon of sugar.

Preparation Instructions:

– In a suitably sized bowl, mix together all of the ingredients.
– Allow to stand for 45 minutes before serving.

I found this really nice peach salsa recipe here and had to try it.
This salsa is ideal with chicken, pork, salmon, and tortillas of course. I served mine on grilled chicken served with Udon noodle and deep-fried Shishito peppers.

Ontario Peaches Trivia from Ontario Tender Fruit

•In 1779, peaches were harvested at the mouth of the Niagara River for local consumption.
•In the mid-1780s, Peter Secord, the uncle of Laura Secord, was believed to be the first Loyalist farmer, taking a land grant near Niagara to plant fruit trees. Ontario peaches, pears and plums have been thriving in the area ever since.
•In 1792, Lady Simcoe, wife of the King’s representative for British North America, wrote in her diary that she had 3 standard peach trees that helped provide her with treats over the winter.
•In 1860, the menu at a dinner for the Prince of Wales noted that Brown’s peaches would be served. (Joseph and John Brown are said to have had the first commercial orchard in Niagara.)
•In 1865, the price of a bushel of Crawford peaches was $4.00 (poorer varieties from $2-$3.00); pears cost $1.50 – $2.00 a bushel; and plums cost $3 – $4.00 a bushel.
•By 1875, there were 375,000 peach trees in Ontario (not one of those varieties remains today).
•In 1930, local pilots flew Yellow Sun peaches via Montreal to England for the Prince of Wales.