Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Peaches...

*We interrupt this blog for a post about peaches*

Aw, peaches. Some of my fondest memories of my childhood include stopping on the side of the road in East Texas to buy peaches. I have never had a Georgia peach, but I can tell you that East Texas peaches are delicious. Sweet, juicy - I remember loving these and looking forward to traveling down that 2 lane road near the lake house, eager to pick some up.

After moving to Sweden, I had to get used to the lack of fruits and vegetables year round. I found this change acceptable since who really wants strawberries in the middle of winter when you know good and well they grow in the spring, summer. But that first summer, when the peaches started showing up at the grocery store and later at my favorite crush, my vegetable guy, I was utterly disappointed. They were, in a word, tasteless. Fuzzy, soft round nothings. I couldn't believe it but soon moved on to other fruits, all the while harboring my inner envy to all my Texas friends and family who had immediate access to my beloved fruit.

Last summer, I put together a picnic for the office before everyone went on vacation. It was a great spread, with all sorts of delicious meats, cheeses, fruits and wait for it....peaches. But these weren't the regular crappy peaches, these were flat peaches. They were amazing - sweet and delicious. They also came at a higher price and sold at an exclusive fruit and vegetable stall in a very exclusive food hall (östermalmshallen, for the locals). I enjoyed this brief appearance of my beloved peach in my life and moved on. Until yesterday....
photo courtesy of London Evening Standard

Imagine my joy when I saw these bad boys for sale at my fruit and vegetable guy! I mean, the guy provides me with okra, multi colored carrots, white zucchini but now this?!?!? Amazing to see this gem in my hood. Naturally I bought some and have been one happy camper. Later today I will introduce Leah to them as well, hoping her 1/2 Texan will appreciate them as much as I do.

Enjoy the peach season, my fellow Texans!! You don't know what you've got until it's gone :-)

*We now return to your regularly scheduled blog about the "Öbergs" (or more specifically, Leah)*