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Dried Apricots

Posted at 11:06 AM on August 24, 2008 by Laura Solorio (4 Comments)

Coming from Hollister, California, one has to love apricots. Most of the orchards have been replaced by homes, but my cousins, Tessie and Mike still have an orchard. I just purchased twenty pounds of dried apricot slabs from them. They are delicious. Slabs are the extra ripe apricots. They are very sweet and soft. I purchased twenty pounds last year, too, and they were delicious in various dishes throughout the year and make a tasty snack on hikes. One of my favorite recipes is dried apricots with carrots. The dish has a Middle Eastern twist. The flavors meld together wonderfully.

My tomatoes are finally in the swing and every day I pick ripe, tasty ones. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to either dry or can some. I made a delicious summer squash and tomato casserole yesterday with my tomatoes on the top. The recipe was from Cooks Iluustrated. It took a bit of time to extract some of the water from the squash, but the results were worth the time. The tomato plants in the ground are huge, but the ones in pots are pretty sad looking. I plan to take out most of my back lawn this winter and put in raised beds.

Peaches and nectarines are entering their final phases in my area. I will be sad to see them go. The vendor at the farmers' market said that persimmons are next! There were some early red delicious apples this morning. I'm getting used to eating what's in season. I don't have time to can, so I'm learning to look forward to the changes.

Comments (4)

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I am soooooo jealous. I love apricots. I lived in Salinas for three years in the 80's and it is the only time I had enough apricots to make me happy. And California apricots are the way to go. Turkish apricots are so tasteless in comparison.

Posted by Diane | August 26, 2008 4:47 AM

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Just a thought - You don't suppose your cousins would sell me some?

Posted by Diane L | August 26, 2008 4:49 AM

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hmmmmmmmm. Carrots and apricots together are deliciously good.
I remember how wonderful apricots tasted when I lived in Morocco. I liked them dried as well! I even developed an appreciation for apricot jam as well as fig jam.

And fresh ripe peaches or nectarines or apricots are wonderful with Greek yoghurt.

Laura, do you bake? From time to time I make clafouti with fresh fruit in season.

Paulette

Posted by P.Thompson | August 29, 2008 4:53 PM

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Thanks for your comments, Diane and Paulette. I have never seen my cousin's apricots for sale anywhere. I think they have buyers. Sorry! B&R Ranch sells dried apricots, though. Let me know if you can't find their web page.

I have made claufoutti before. I made an apple one for my son's birthday. He said it was the, "bomb," which I think means really good. I have also made coconut cookies with dried apricots and egg whites from my Tassajara cookbook. Too bad I don't buy coconut anymore, but I still have a bit in my pantry!

Laura

Posted by Laura Solorio | August 29, 2008 5:41 PM