Boost your family’s fruit intake

Winter signals a time when finding local, fresh fruit becomes more limited and more expensive.

So how can you and your family get your essential nutrients?  A great option is Canned California Cling Peaches as they are not only nutritious, but a versatile addition to many recipes.  We often associate them with dessert, but canned peaches also provide a nutritious boost in salads, appetizers and main dishes.

Here are some common myths about canned peaches:

Myth: Canned peaches are less nutritious than fresh peaches.
Fact: Canned fruits are just as nutritious as their fresh and frozen counterparts. California Cling Peaches are picked at the peak of their ripeness and canned within hours and retain vitamins A, C and E throughout their canned life.

Myth: Canned peaches are full of sugar.
Fact: Canned California cling peaches have no added sugar in the juice or water that they are packed in, other than the natural sugar in the raw product.

Myth: Canned peaches lose their flavour and colour through the canning process.
Fact: Canned peaches retain their flavour, colour and firmness even when cooked or baked in entrees, appetizers or desserts.

Grilled Havarti, Bacon and Peach Sandwich

Offering a unique twist to the classic grilled cheese sandwich, the Grilled Havarti, Bacon and Peach Sandwich combines sweet and savory.  Fast and easy-to-make it is perfect for a lunch or a quick dinner on a busy night.  Incorporating all food groups, this balanced meal is over-the-top delicious.

Ingredients:

4 slices of your favourite sandwich bread, such as sourdough or Italian
4 tsp (20 mL) butter
4 thin slices Havarti cheese
4 crisp-cooked slices of smoked bacon
1 or 2 canned California Cling peach halves in fruit juice from concentrate or water, very thinly sliced and patted very dry

Directions:

1. Spread one side of each slice of bread with butter. Lay half the cheese on unbuttered side of two slices of bread. Top with bacon, a single layer of peach slices, then remaining cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, butter side up.

2. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes a side. Serve diagonally sliced in half. Makes 2 sandwiches.

Prep: 5 min; Cook: 8 min; Total time: 15 min

Brought to you by California Cling Peach Board. For more recipes featuring California Cling Peaches visit CalClingPeach.ca.