the season's first taste test

it's official: the memorial day halapalooza has come to an end, signaling the onset of summer. i, for one, am not your typical southern californian - that dreamer of hot summer days, lost in a crowd of eager beach-goers. give me a hot tea and scarf (almost) any day. but perhaps i am speaking too prematurely. i do enjoy feeling my skin absorb the sun's rays (with SPF 30, of course), fashioning bright sun dresses, lingering over twilight meals, and embracing seasonal flavors -- to which i proclaim, behold the stone fruit!

i knew we were about to experience a change as soon as my eyes fixed their gaze on crates of apricots, nectarines, and peaches at the farmer's market. a subtle hint? i think not. one week, mounds of citrus; the next, sweet stone.

i couldn't wait to set my hands on those gems - their velvet skin, sunset color, ever so gentle firmness. and then the rush of recipes running through my mind: crumbles, marmalades, yogurt/oatmeal toppings, tarts.

so in honor of the new season, i bought some peaches for the ultimate taste test. it was rather unnerving taking that first bite. would it meet my criteria? or would it shatter my dreams of a tasty summer? well, one peach down, and i am happy to report the former: the first bite into this season's stone fruit was enlivening, surely satisfying my criteria and cravings...

its color was impeccable, not a bruise in sight. slightly firm to the touch with perfect give. juices dripping down my fingers with each bite. flesh so moist and succulent, bordering sinful, decadent. and the flavor - could hold its own even when  mixed with plain greek yogurt.

i just may consider the taste test of the stone fruit as the "groundhog" of summer. this peach is undoubtedly the harbinger of something good (and sweet) to come.