While September ushers in fun things like football season and the possibility of cooler temperatures, it also brings on peach depression. Peach depression is the realization that peach season is over and you didn’t eat enough peaches before it ended. This is a made-up disease, of course, but the side effects are real!
According to Fredericksburg, the peach mecca of Texas, peach season ends in mid-August. So you have just a few weeks left to make the most of peach season.
Here’s how to avoid peach depression before it’s too late:
🍑 Get Some Peaches
You’ve probably driven past roadside peach stands all summer with the intention of stopping one day. Heed the call — now is the time to pull over and grab a bunch of them before they’re gone.
And if you can’t quite remember where you saw that peach stand, there are some spots in Austin where you can still find the fuzzy fruit. Central Market, on North Lamar or South Lamar, is a good quick option, with several varieties like white peaches and peacharines. You can also clear up your Sunday mornings and head to the Texas Farmers Market at Mueller, where you’ll find peaches and everything else you’d want in your pantry.
🍑 Make a Trip Out to Fredericksburg
A haven of juicy peaches awaits just an hour-and-a-half away, give or take. Eckhardt Orchards has fresh peaches and they make a mean homemade peach cobbler you can take home. For those who enjoy the you-pick experience, Jenschke Orchards will let you pick peaches right from the source for just $5.
And since you’re already making the drive, why not make a day of it at Das Peach Haus at the Fischer & Wieser Farmstead? They sell peaches in just about every form imaginable — fresh, as jam, and even peach wine. They also offer cooking classes and lodging for overnight stays.
New life hack: make your peach cobbler on the grill when it’s too hot to bake indoors. (Travis Heying/Getty Images)
🍑 Try a Fun Recipe
You’ve brought more peaches home than you could possibly eat, so now what? My first recommendation is to turn them into jam — it lasts a while and it’s easier than you think. Opt for homemade peach margaritas for those hot summer days. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about the joy of grilled peaches.
For my fellow bakers, turn that fresh fruit into a peach poundcake or a peach cobbler.
🍑 Freeze!
To keep your peach supply going for months, freeze them. First, you’ll need to blanch your peaches in boiling water for one minute to loosen the skin, according to H-E-B. Slice them, sprinkle with lemon juice, and put in an airtight bag or container before putting peaches in the freezer.
