r/Cooking • u/BuildSomethingStupid • 16h ago
My diabetic mother has a wonderful peach tree in her yard. What are some ways I can use the peaches which aren’t necessarily high sugar?
For example, could I be using the skins to flavor water or tea? Are dishes where a little bit of peach is used to pack an oversized punch? What about uses for springtime blossoms (tea?)?
If it helps guide you, I have the standard set of kitchen basics, a full set of cast iron, sous vide, and a chamber sealer. For dishes and preparations, she loves seafood in almost any flavor combo except cream. She also loves to watch me cook, so recipes with a lot of steps are not a worry at all.
The tree really does produce some wonderful peaches. It’s a shame to have it right there and have her be afraid to enjoy it.
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u/ZoeZoeZoeLily 16h ago
We still give my grandpa all the peaches he wants, I just hide it under a TON of fiber. (Fiber helps slow down absorption of blood sugar, especially good for diabetics!) So far he hasn’t caught on… he just enjoys the clafoutis or crumble or whipped peach sorbet with lots of nuts and granola.
Also, seconding grilled peaches. S tier.
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u/sweetpotatopietime 5h ago
And protein. Every time I eat fruit I need to also eat protein:
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u/ZoeZoeZoeLily 4h ago
Greek yogurt parfaits with a nut and oat heavy granola would be so good with grilled peaches, and hit all the fiber and protein goals!
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u/Deppfan16 16h ago
peach salsa is really good! plus lots of veggies
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u/The-Jelly-Fox 11h ago
Yes, peach salsa is divine! I was looking for this comment! It’s great with fish, chicken, or just plain with tortilla chips.
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u/thejadsel 16h ago
If she's OK with that and not on any medications that would interfere, I would personally turn some into peach wine. Autoimmune diabetic here, and fermenting a lot of the sugars out helps me enjoy more fruit and juices without worrying about my blood sugar the same way.
Here's one beginner-friendly recipe that I found with a quick search. I'd suggest using the lower amount of sugar, and adding some erythritol to sweeten to taste as required when it's finished. Much better flavor than using any of the artificial sweeteners. Even Splenda ends up tasting really weird in a wine or similar IME.
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u/gingiberiblue 16h ago
I put peaches in salads, eat them fresh and plain, slice them and drizzle them with cream, muddle them into teas and lemonades. All of those can be easily lower glycemic response foods.
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u/Jeepsterick 15h ago
Peach crisp. Sliced peaches, sprinkle with Keto granola ( mostly nuts) dot with butter and bake.
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u/feliniaCR 10h ago
Sauté chopped onions and peppers, add chopped peaches and a dash of vinegar. Serve it over pork chops.
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u/F-sylvatica-purpurea 9h ago
Combine the peach with fat and fibre, that spreads out the sugar uptake. Almonds for instance.
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u/awholedamngarden 16h ago
You can make a low sugar jam using xanthan gum instead of pectin to thicken (start with 1/2 tsp and go from there), add lemon jusice and stevia to taste
Tastes great on plain Greek yogurt for a healthy breakfast
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u/mckenner1122 3h ago
We use Pomonas Pectin and make sugar free jam and preserves with no sweetener at all. Love it!
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u/LalalaSherpa 7h ago edited 3h ago
Type 1 diabetic here. I'm grateful everyday that zero-carb/calorie sweeteners like Splenda exist.
1 - That said, is it making her sad or is it making you sad? Is she "afraid" or has she just learned from experience what works best for her?
Because I'm not sad about most foods I choose not to eat. Just like I'm not sad every day about poking myself with needles. It's just how it is at my house.
Honestly what can be unhelpful sometimes is people who assume they know how I feel, based on how they think they would feel.
2 - "Low" sugar jams average 6 g of sugar in just 1T.
Most folks eat more than 1T.
For perspective, 16 g is what you'd use to correct a dangerously low blood sugar.
3 - FYI, the most blood sugar friendly way to eat peaches and other fruit is generally raw.
Cooked fruit and/or pureed, blended fruit generally raise blood sugar much faster. Example: jams, fruit butters, applesauce.
Peach shortcake with half a toasted mini scone + Splenda-sweetened peaches + Splenda-sweetened whipped cream works FAR better than low sugar jam or preserves, for instance.
4 - A 30 minute walk after eating blunts the blood sugar effect.
It doesn't have to be a power walk, either.
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u/DeepSeaDarkness 10h ago
I recommend to get in contact with other people who produce their own food and to ask if they'd be willing to swap. See if you can get two dozen eggs for a bucket of peaches. Or some zucchini, tomatoes are also still in season.
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u/More-Opposite1758 14h ago
I peel them, freeze them, then put them in a blender. Wonderful slushie.
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u/DrCheese67 5h ago
How about making a tagine? It's a very tasty but easy dish from the western Mediterranean - usually lamb or chicken with apricots, prunes or olives. Lots of recipes online.
I usually serve mine with a spinach, orange, pomegranate and pine nut salad. You could make a tabbouleh - going heavy on the parsley, tomatoes, onion and mint, easy on the bulgar wheat? Possibly couscous with lots of roasted Mediterranean vegetables in it?
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u/AdSubstantial112 7h ago
I like to cut up an equal amount of peaches and strawberries, and make a fruit compote. There is no added sugar and it’s super sweet naturally and so flavorful and delicious! I love putting it on yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, ice cream or literally just eating it by itself.
I usually do about 4 cups of fruit, but you could do more than that, just make you sure you have a large enough pot.
Add the fruit simmer it on medium low heat and let the juices naturally release out of the fruit. Reduced to low and simmer for another 20 to 30 minutes, use a spoon to mash up the fruit.
Stir in a few tablespoons of Chia seeds to absorb the extra fruit juices and make it more jammy. Store in the fridge for up to a week! You can freeze any extras.
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u/Inconceivable76 9h ago
Swap the tomato for peaches in a caprese salad.
peach is great with chicken and pork (roasted).
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u/polymathicfun 9h ago
Can consider juicing them, then inoculate with ginger bug and ferment into peach soda.
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u/hycarumba 8h ago
If you want to turn it into jam or jelly from the juice, you can use low sugar pectin. But Pomona's Pectin has multiple recipes that use no sugar or alternative sugars of every kind.
You can also make peach butter, which is only peaches cooked down until thick and canned or frozen. If you put it in small jars you can have it at the ready to add as an ingredient in many ways already mentioned.
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u/Birdie121 8h ago
All a good peach needs is some unsweetened whipped cream. It's also great in salsas and salads
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u/Horror_Signature7744 8h ago
Chutney. A spicy sweet peach chutney is incredible!
Salsa - again, the sweet with the heat is delectable.
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u/SubliminalFishy 8h ago
I had a boss lady who used the peaches from her tree to make chow chow, with cabbage and hot peppers. That way she didn't have to add sugar for the necessary sweetness. It was so good.
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u/Agitated_Ad_1658 7h ago
Grilled peaches, sliced peaches in salads, no sugar jam or preserves, chutney, salsa
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u/Conscious_Trouble_70 6h ago
I enjoy a caprese with peaches instead of tomatoes! The sweetness of the peaches with the richness of the mozzarella and acidity of the balsamic is perfection.
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u/Scoginsbitch 6h ago
Made this the other week. It would be a great addition to dinner with some green beans rather than rice or noodles so her blood sugar doesn’t spike.
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u/rosemarythefarmer 6h ago
I’ve seen people grating frozen peaches over yogurt for breakfasts this summer, haven’t tried it personally but it looks nice & refreshing!
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u/arduenna 6h ago
Roast peach hot sauce is lovely, and seconding all the peach salsa and salad suggestions!
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u/Xaraphim 6h ago
I made a recipe from Washington Post a couple weeks ago that was succotash with peaches and it was incredible.
Summer Succotash with Andouille and Peaches
it's behind a paywall, but use the Paprika recipe app to grab it.
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u/FastCourage 6h ago
This peach burrata salad is my absolute favorite! https://www.anitasdelightsrecipes.com/2022/06/peach-burrata-salad-sweetgreen-copycat.html?m=1
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u/she_slithers_slyly 5h ago
Ham marinated with a peach marinade made somewhat savory. Throw some peaches around the edges like you would potato and see what happens, this might be better with some that are less than ripe. Worst case scenario - dinner and dessert in one pot.
Cobbler - with a more nut-based streusel.
Simple and easy - cottage or ricotta cheese topped with diced peaches for a quick, nutritious snack.
Peach chutney that can be spread or dipped into.
Peaches in your hot cereal - they can be diced and frozen, ready to go
Peaches on a salad like grapes, apples, mandarin oranges - there's no rule that says you can't sub other fruits.
Poached peaches.
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u/arillusine 5h ago
I’ve used peaches as a glaze for proteins (beef, pork) in the past when doing low and slow cooking. Just mash them up when they’re soft and add seasonings, brush on whatever meat you’re slow cooking. Slices of peach on thin cuts of beef under the broiler to get a little blistered before removing them to let the meat finish cooking is also a nice way to get a side while adding flavor to the meat. They’re also great grilled.
I think the key is not to add any extra sugar, incorporate into a protein dish, or use as the added sugar part of a marinade/sauce instead of actual sugar or honey. In Korean cooking there’s some recipes where you add fruit (usually apple or Asian pear) into the marinade instead of sugar, but it’s versatile and I’ve done it with other fruit as well, so I bet it’s fine with puréed peaches. Might not taste exactly the same but it’ll serve the same purpose.
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u/TeaTimeType 5h ago
We occasionally have a surplus of yummy peaches and make a ton of cobblers, pastries, salads, glazes, preserves etc. We like to poach them in Glühwein or Marsala (add whole spices), serve with mascarpone and top with spiced streusel. You could do strained yoghurt or crème anglaise instead. You can control the amount of sugar and the house smells heavenly while the peaches are being poached.
Sometimes there are just too many to eat, even after we preserve and bottle a couple batches. So we make Peach Schnapps! Label them in cute little bottles and give as Christmas gifts. They are a huge hit.
My favourite though is peach white tea. We dried the peaches and combined with white tea. Using that as a base we made: clove and cinnamon; cardamom, clove and ginger; star anise, cinnamon and cranberry. Also made a mix of peach, apple and citrus zest for the kids (no tea added). Packaged in lovely little tins and gave them as gifts.
I also make cooked peach filling and freeze flat in freezer safe / ziplock bags. Very useful when it’s out of season and you need a quick pie, tart or cake filling. Great on ice cream too. One year we made speculaas / speculoos and peach ice cream.
Maybe your mom would enjoy gifting the Schnapps or tea? She could still watch you cook and create. Instead of eating all the peaches she may be fulfilled by sharing too.
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u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 4h ago
Peach infuse water/ice tea w skins, grill peach salsa w seafood, peach&cucumber salad w vinegar dressing, peach vinaigrette for salad, peach&jalapeño shrimp skewer, sous vide peach chicken, peach&basil marinade for fish, peach blossom tea, chutney w low sugar, roast peach w herb as seafood topper, peach gazpacho, peach salsa verde, peach&ginger ice herbal tea, peach salsa w lime&cilantro, dehydrate peach chips for snack
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u/mykepagan 4h ago
Grilled!
Cut them in half and remove the pit. Sprinkle with cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves;allspice and grill until you get nice grill marks and the peach halves get a little soft.
If butter is okay, mix the spices in softened butter and baste the peaches with it a few times.
When I make this I mix in honey with the butter, but that’s probably out of the question for a diabetic.
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u/Suda_Nim 4h ago
Persian recipes often mix meat and fruit.
A quick Google of “Persian recipe meat peach” brought up this:Persian Peach Stew
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u/Thebazilly 2h ago
I made this on Monday and it is delicious: https://www.budgetbytes.com/braised-chicken-and-peaches/
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u/mintbrownie 2h ago
A small 4.8 oz peach has 13g carbs
A medium 5.5 oz is 15g carbs
A large 6.4 oz is 17.5g carbs
100 grams of cut peach is 10g carbs
4 oz of cut peach is 11.5g carbs
I’ll eat half a peach with no big spike in glucose. It would be worth while for your mother to test eating X amount of peach to see what it does to her glucose. Maybe she’ll be lucky and it won’t spike her.
As for uses, I make a grain-free hot cereal that’s delicious with some chopped up peach. Or grain-free granola, plain yogurt and peach. But my favorite savory use of peaches is to slice them and some really good tomatoes and plate it up with burrata cheese, top with your best olive oil and balsamic vinegar, plus soft leaf herbs like basil, mint, or tarragon. Just that makes a dinner, though I usually add a vegetable on the side and, if I have any, some Italian meats like prosciutto or salami. This salad with fennel, ricotta salata and mint is delicious. You can cook up some peaches with a little stock and a splash of bourbon to top pork chops or tenderloin. I don’t think it’s as perfect a pairing as pork, but peach is actually good with chicken too.
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u/pigeontheoneandonly 2h ago
My husband just used up a bunch of extra peaches making a peach shrub for cocktails.
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u/KitchenAvenger 2h ago
I made braised chicken and peaches the other night, and it was delicious! I topped it with some goat cheese and a balsamic reduction when it came out of the oven.
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u/LetImportant2025 19m ago
I personally love cottage cheese, a splash of vanilla and fruit together. Peaches would be yummy.
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u/RealisticYoghurt131 13h ago
Slice slightly underripe peaches into chunks and dehydrate them to crispy. Seal in glass jar and store in a cool place, or leave them a little chewy and put them in the fridge.
Grilled with ice cream.
Marinades: puree a peach, add some lemon juice, lemongrass, white wine or rice vinegar, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Other good adds are Ginger, fennel seeds ground up, dill, habanero or other hot pepper. This would work with fish, shrimp, pork, and probably lamb.
Glazes, pureed and sauteed down low and slow, like a jam without the sugar. Add a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
Peach syrup or peach habanero syrup for desserts and drinks.
Grilled peach in salads.
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u/Ocelotl767 16h ago edited 6h ago
So, peaches are inherently a sugary fruit, however that means they just don't need sugar. Grilled peaches are great, I had them with grilled pork chops and collard greens and grits. using them as a component is also great, I can imagine you can just slice and reduce them to make a bit of a glaze for vegetables.