Nectarines

Sweet & Smooth Nectarines

The word 'nectarine' means sweet, as nectar, and this is very likely the obvious origin of the name. Today, California grows over 95 percent of the nectarines produced in the United States. When ripe, the nectarine's smooth skin is a brilliant golden yellow with generous blushes of red. Nectarines are wonderful eaten out of hand and can be used in salads, a variety of fresh and cooked desserts and as a garnish for many hot and cold dishes. Nectarines can be used in the same ways as peaches, except if someone peels a peach because they object to eating the fuzz, they do not need to peel a nectarine. The nectarine skins can also be left on when making pies, cobblers and fresh fruit salads, etc. Nectarines reach their peak season in July and August.