For some reason, there are a ton of recipes out there for peaches and apricots. Muffins, ice cream, savory tarts, jam, crostata (to name a few). One reason we don't see a lot of nectarine recipes is that they're easily subbed in for peaches—no need for a distinctive dish. Another reason? Maybe the rest of the world isn't quite as in love with nectarines as we are right now...
In the past two weeks, we think we've eaten around two dozen nectarines. The ones we've bought have been mostly from California, although the last batch was labeled local. There hasn't been a bad one yet; they're all extremely sweet, juicy, and perfectly ripe.
Although we love a good peach, we find that nectarines are more consistent. We get fewer mealy ones, fewer tasteless ones. And these we've been eating are so good, we hesitate to bother looking for ways to gussy them up or cook them. Still, some good recipes that show them off couldn't hurt.
Right now, we're imagining a moist, brown sugar cake studded with big hunks of nectarine that we could eat for breakfast. That's in the works, and we'll let you know how it goes, if it goes. In the meantime, here are some other recipes we're eyeing:
• Nectarine Lime Curd Tart with Brown Sugar Crust, from Gourmet
• Baked Nectarines with Pistachios, from Martha Stewart Living (above, left)
• Nectarine Upside-Down Cake, at The Wednesday Chef
• Nectarine Cloud Pie, from Gourmet
• Bourbon Nectarine Ice Cream Sundaes with Pound Cake Croutons, from Food & Wine
• Spiced Nectarine Cake, from Bon Appétit (above, right)
Anyone want to offer ideas?
Related: Seasonal Combination: Fennel plus Nectarines
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nectarines are my absolute favorite fruit. they are so damn in season right now...no matter where i buy them, even for as low as $0.69/lb, they are sweet and juicy and...they TASTE like NECTARINES. mmm.
i don't think i would actually get around to cooking with them...nomnomnom. all gone.
view kdkaboom's profile
This is my absolute favorite nectarine recipe
http://events.nytimes.com/recipes/9481/2002/01/06/Nectarine-Pie/recipe.html
It's great with the sweetness of the nectarines combined with the tartness of the sourcream. And it's so so easy.
view lahawk's profile
I love nectarines fresh, but they are indescribably good when paired with grilled, buttered sourdough and grilled halloumi cheese. Salty and savory and sweet and juicy...
view aksprinkle's profile
One of my fav uses is to combine fresh nectarine wedges with fresh, wonderful field tomato wedges, basil leaves, salt, pepper and then drizzle the whole thing with top quality balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. You can make it a meal by adding chevre. YUM
view Dana McCauley's profile
i made a VERY simple nectarine tart over here:
http://www.shutterbean.com/rustic-nectarine-tart/
super tasty ;)
view shutterbean's profile
Yum...these are all so appealing.
view maggie (p/c)'s profile
nectarines are my favorite! I don't like the mouthfeel of peach fuzz. I can't believe I just used that word, but there's really no better way to say it...
view libbyhunt's profile
Dana and aksprinkle: yes, please. Immediately.
I once made a nectarine Monte Cristo, from Food & Wine Magazine that was just delicious. Cream cheese, plus lightly cooked and caramelized nectarines. So good! ( http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/nectarine-and-cream-cheese-monte-cristos ).
I wouldn't pass up one of those bourbon ice cream sundaes, though. :)
http://www.abreadaday.com
view eprewitt's profile
I adore a good nectarine too... but for some reason, my sources here just have crappy ones that are small and tasteless. Which means I might some day have reason to cook nectarines rather than eat them!
view sphinxie's profile