Makes 4 Servings Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 8 to 10 minutes

Marinate time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Directions

Stir together all topping ingredients in a medium bowl; set aside. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place tequila, lime juice and salt in a shallow dish. Add chicken and let stand for 15 minutes. Turn and let stand for 15 minutes more. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Remove from skillet and top with peach mixture. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.

Per serving: 290 calories, 40g protein, 10g carbohydrate, 6g total fat, 100mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 1g fiber.

As I approached the tasting, I noticed my soon-to-be father in law gather in a group. That was the second time I had ran into him in the past two days! I must say, it’s pretty cool that we work in the same industry. As I walked around the tables, plates of fresh peaches, plums and nectarines were displayed on the tables. They were for eating, and I brought an appetite!

Variety tastings are an opportunity for peach, plum and nectarine ‘breeders’ to showcase their new varieties of stone fruit, giving the growers and other industry members the opportunity to savor the latest developments in stone fruit. Breeders grow and analyze sample trees to develop the best quality peach, plum and nectarine varieties that they know will cater to peoples’ taste buds. That’s what it’s all about right- biting into the best stone fruit they’ve ever had? Variety tastings gives the growers knowledge and expands their opportunity to grow new varieties that they know shoppers will enjoy.

Rootstock tours are a different breed, don’t mind the pun. Rootstock tours allow growers to see tree root bases that can accommodate varieties and help the grower to grow the new varieties they would like to plant.
They accompany a variety tasting because they allow industry members to observe the tree’s growth and study their development for growth of new varieties. This rootstock tour was at UC Davis Kearney Agricultural Center. As we hopped on the back of a trailer, we made our way out into the orchards.

So now that you have a brief summary of what variety tastings and rootstock tours are and why they’re important to growing tree fruit, check out the video. And, don’t forget to leave us your thoughts in a comment. We love hearing from our readers.

~ Sara

California peach grower Kristina Unruh recommends we all try something new! First if you have never had a peach before please EAT A PEACH!:) But for those who have, did you know that there is likely to be a new variety of peach in stores about every week and a half or two weeks? We almost have to try something new every time we go to the store - that’s why it so important to know what kind of peach you like. We categorize what kind of peach eater you are into 3 main categories:

The Cruncher likes their peaches a little more crispy yet sweet. The ideal peach for the cruncher is a white flesh variety. White flesh peaches are ready-to-eat even when firm. Sometimes people will buy a white flesh variety thinking it is a yellow flesh and are disappointed when they let it ripen only to find that what they thought was ripe was actually a little too ripe. White flesh have a subtle sweet that is lighter on the palette.

The Leaner likes the classic mouthwatering yellow flesh peach that is so juicy it makes you lean over just so you don’t ruin your shirt - hence the name. If you like intense sweetness paired with juicy flavor let a yellow flesh variety ripen at room temperature away from the sun until it gives to gentle palm pressure. Then have at it and worry about the mess later.

The In-Betweener just likes everything, white flesh or yellow flesh - crunchy or juicy sweet.

Know what you like but remember to try something new!

I’ve finally made it! I have wanted to give to the magic of tree fruit for some time now, and it’s a pleasure to be here contributing to spreading the word about California peaches, plums and nectarines. But before I get into my passion, let me introduce myself.

My name is Sara, originally from the Bay Area, but after obtaining my college degree from a fabulous California State University recently, I have made my home right here in the Central Valley! When I’m not working in the tree fruit industry, I’m out on the lake, at the beach, or relaxing at my new home.

My passion for California peaches arose when I was I was very young. My mother would make my great grandmother’s recipe for strawberry peach cobbler, and from the first bite, my heart was with peaches. At that age, I couldn’t appreciate the hard work that went into each peach I enjoyed, but I have come to the realization that a California peach is no ordinary piece of fruit.

So much hard work goes into every California peach.

California Nectarines were introduced to me by my grandmother. She was a pediatrician, and was very adamant about us kids getting enough fruits and vegetables. Nectarines were my favorite fruit. The pit inside fascinated me, and my mouth watered at the site of my grandmother grabbing one from the fruit basket. She could sense me begging with my eyes, and would invite me over to share one with her.

With California plums, they grew on me as I grew up. I enjoyed them almost always fresh, sliced into pieces on my cereal. When I found out they were a good source of Vitamin C, well that was an added bonus! There’s nothing like plums in the summertime.

It wasn’t until nearly two years ago that I saw a whole new side to California peaches, plums and nectarines. When my fiancé and I first started dating, we realized early on that we came from different worlds. I was raised near the big city by a single parent who worked as a teacher. He was raised by his mom and dad who devoted their lives to their family, and growing tree fruit and citrus, an industry that his family had been a part of for more years than he could remember. I noticed at family gatherings, the chatter about the industry and the long hours my fiancé’s family would work. It was common for his Dad to leave and tend to orchards, saying “It’s that season,” as he left.

I never imagined I would work within the tree fruit family as I like to call it, but here I am, and I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity! I will be joining Iheartpeaches.com as a contributing writer, and I cannot wait to share with you the many wonders of California peaches, plums and nectarines. Get ready; it’s going to be an awesome ride. We’ll be in touch!

Sara