The history of Palisade Peaches began in 1882 when John Harlow planted the first orchard in the Palisade area. By 1885, Harlow's orchard may have been the first successful peach crop in Colorado. The following year, Harlow improved his orchard by planting more trees. He is said to have fertilized the trees with burnt bones and leached ashes. In 1886, Harlow's farm was more successful than any others in the area.
Harlow led a water canal project to divert water from the nearby Colorado River to irrigate the Palisade region. By the beginning of the 20th century, more than twenty-five thousand pounds of peaches were shipped yearly from Palisade to regions nationwide.
How to Buy and Pick Palisade Peaches
You can find Palisade Peaches at most Colorado supermarkets and farmer markets. Around this time, you will also find vendors on street corners.
Peaches are ripest when they are a bit soft. When testing, they should have a little give to the flesh. Be careful not to squeeze too hard so as not to bruise the fruit. The fruit might give off a faint, sweet aroma. A peach will continue to ripen on a kitchen countertop away from direct sunlight, resting on its shoulders instead of on its bottoms. A peach will normally, ripen within a couple of days. If you would like to slow the ripening process, place the peaches in the refrigerator. I like my fresh peach pie to have a ripe firm peach that is not overripe. If my peaches are over ripen, I will make a cooked peach pie rather than a fresh pie. The recipe below is for a fresh peach pie.
Colorado Peach Festival
If you are not into baking, try a local Colorado peach festival. You will find all sorts of peach dishes and produce there.
25th Annual Lafayette Peach Festival August 17, 2024 9:00 am-4:00 pm Old Town Lafayette on Public Road Service Dogs Only - in compliance with a city ordinance
56th Annual Palisade Peach Festival At Riverbend Park in Palisade, Colorado August 16th – 17th, 2024 3 pm – 8 pm Friday 10 am – 8 pm Saturday
Peachfest Summer Farmers Market August 15, 2024 8242 South University Boulevard, #150 Centennial, CO 80122 Price: Free 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Fort Collins Peach Festival August 17, 2024 11 am – 8 pm Civic Center Park
Fresh Peach Pie Recipe
1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups fresh peaches, pitted and mashed (used for glaze) *
4 cups fresh Palisade peaches (or any kind of peach), pitted, skinned, and sliced*
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (can be replaced with cinnamon)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
*Note that you will need 6 cups of peaches total.
Combine sugar, water, cornstarch, butter or margarine, 2 cups mashed peaches, and nutmeg in a medium-sized saucepan. Cook over medium heat until clear and thick. Stir in vanilla. Cool completely.
In a large bowl, carefully add sliced and skinned fresh peaches. I prefer skinned, so the glaze is absorbed. Pour glaze over the peaches. Gently stir with a rubber baking spatula so as not to bruise peaches. The peaches should be coated with glaze. Gently pour all into a cooked pie shell. Refrigerate for several hours. Serve with French vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or plain.
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