Peach Cobbler with a Sugar Cookie Crust

Peach Cobbler with a 

Sugar Cookie Crust

In keeping with the "Old-Fashioned Food" theme for another posting, I searched through my recipe files for a recipe using the peaches I bought after discovering Matt loved peaches. I came across a few recipes for peach cobbler and Matt informed me that he LOVED peach cobbler.  Hence, today's recipe.  And, me being me, I just had to learn more about the origin of peaches and a little bit of peach history, of course, to satisfy my "Geekness." As I said before, I should probably rename my BLOG, "Another Year in my Kitchen and Other Geeky Things I know." BTW, August is National Peach Month!

• 8 fresh peaches - peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 stick of butter - cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs - lightly beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil (yes, vegetable oil - olive oil didn't work for this recipe...)
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• PAM

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x13" baking dish with PAM.  Arrange cut peach slices into baking dish.  Scatter butter pieces over the top of the peaches, then sprinkle with brown sugar evenly on top.  Mix flour, white sugar, baking powder, ans salt in a bowl.  Add oil to beaten eggs,  then stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients.  Spoon batter over the peaches. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Bake for about 45 minutes in the preheated oven or until the crust is lightly browned.  Makes 12 servings.

  

2 Basic Types of Peaches

1. clingstone - flesh of the peach "clings" to the stone

2. freestone - can be loosened from the pit easily

*When choosing fresh peaches, look at the skin around the stem area.  If it is green, it was picked too early.  If it is creamy yellow, these will be the best peaches to choose.

History of the Peach

The peach originated in China and has been cultivated there since 1,000 B.C.E.*  The peach has a special significance to the Chinese culture - the peach tree is considered to be the tree of life.  Peaches are symbols of immortality and unity, and are thought to bring luck and abundance.  Peach blossoms are carried by Chinese brides, even today.  In China, peaches were reproduced in porcelain dishes.  Dumplings, shaped like peaches, were served as a special treat on a person's birthday.  Wood of the peach tree was carved into special amulets.

Peaches traveled west to Persia via the Silk Road, which helped it earn its botanical name, "Prunus Persica."  In Persia, peaches were discovered by Alexander the Great, and he introduced them to the Greeks.  By 322 B.C.E., Greece had peaches.  By 50 - 20 B.C.E., Romans grew and sold them for the modern equivalent of $4.50.  The Romans called the peach a "Persian Apple."  The Romans cultivated the peach and transported it north and west to other countries in their European Empire.

Columbus brought peaches to the New World on his second and third of his four voyages. The Spanish brought peaches to South America.  The French introduced peaches to Louisiana.  And England brought peaches to Jamestown and the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Production in the United States began with the California Gold Rush in 1849. During the Gold Rush, as the population rapidly grew, the demand for peaches outweighed the availability of peaches.  In Sutter County, two farmers, A.F. Abbott and Joseph Phillips, developed a variety of cling peaches that led to the canning of the clingstone peach because it holds its flavor and texture.  At the turn of the century, the cannery, today used as a waterfront marketplace, was once the largest peach cannery in the world.

California produces more than 50% of peaches in the United States and grows 175 different varieties.  Georgia is called the "Peach State" because it grows so many peaches.

Today, China is the largest producer of peaches.  Italy is second and is the main exporter in the European Union. 

 

*B.C.E., or Before Common Era is the new politically-correct term for B.C.  Additionally C.E., or Common Era is the new term for A.D.