Treasures of the Midwest

Like a perfectly restored 1961 Farmall C Tractor, canning peaches from Missouri are seemingly hard to come by in these parts.

April: When I explained my desire to can peaches and pears to a neighbor, she mentioned Slim, a nice guy out of a town about 45 minutes away. She explained that he has a fruit stand, and could let me know when peaches would be in. Apparently there is was a list I could even get on, so he could order the right quantity. I thought "great, easy enough!"

Last Week: I finally got around to visiting this fruit stand. I thought we still had a month or so until peaches came in, figuring I had plenty of time to get on a list. How wrong I was.

I walked up to the stand, and asked innocently "When do peaches come in?" The woman behind the counter gave me a suspicious look and asked pointedly "Are you on the Peach List?" At this point, she craned her neck over to look at what must have been the Peach List, as if to verify I was on the list, had I claimed to be. I explained that I was not yet on the list, but would love to be.

Well, long story short, this list was somehow complete and no other entries were going to be added. They were getting a shipment THIS WEEK and she offered maybe I could stop by Saturday or something to check and see if they got extra peaches to hand out.

I thought "Saturday??" Only the busiest shopping day of the week. The day when the rest of the cities population is out searching for fresh, succulent fruit. SURE there would be some left. However, being that this was the only lead I had, I held on to hope.

Throughout the week I did a bit of research- Iowa style. I called the two apple orchards I knew of, neither of which had peaches or knew anyone who would carry them. "Try the farmers markets" they offered. (this was a good option, but I was looking for cheap peaches. ..and a lot of them. I needed to know I would be able to get them.) I talked with another neighbor. I asked him if he knew any other people who might sell peaches or pears. He mentioned Slim- the same fruit stand. He said "Well, they have this list...and I guess if you aren't on the list, you probably won't get any." He told me of a time when he stopped in to get a box, and was told that they were all spoken for and then some.

This solidified my fears about the Saturday shipment. There would be a line a mile long for the peaches. It was capitolism at it's best. At this point knowing well the laws of supply and demand, I would have paid anything for a box of peaches. And if paying didn't work, I was willing to wear sackcloth and plead my case with an old woman who had made it onto the list as she carried away her spoils.

Thinking of advanced strategic moves, I called Slim's and found out exactly when their Saturday shipment would arrive. I was determined to be there 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Phil and I schemed ways of adding ourselves to the list. Full of distraction techniques involving a cute baby. We talked that we should bring multi-colored pens so we could blend in with the rest of the list. Then, we rationalized, they probably special ordered a peach-colored pen for the sacred list. Darn!

So, 12pm came, the time of the shipment, and we were there, cute baby in tow. I noticed Slim unloading the coveted peach boxes and took my place in line. When I got up to the counter, I asked if I could buy a box of peaches. Again, I was asked if I was on the "List". I explained that I wasn't, but that I was very sweet, and I could bring them each back a piece of peach cobbler if I only had peaches to make it with.

I was in luck. I made off with THREE bushels of the precious fruit. I felt like a bandit. And, I didn't have to buy a peach colored pen...

The peaches are now ripening further, and in a few days I will have my second solo canning adventure. I'm a bit nervous, but very excited! Ryan was thrilled to see the boxes of peaches- wonderful orange play balls! He spent a few minutes transferring peaches from one box to another until mom found him- took a picture- and then put a nix on the play time.

In other news, I have recieved wonderful recipes (involving CHOCOLATE) for my zucchini. I spent a morning making zucchini relish and zucchini brownies. Though the brownies don't sound appetizing, think of the most moist chocolate cake you have had. They really DO taste that good. I have given some away but try not to mention the zucchini until people have had a taste. I feel a bit sneaky, like I am smuggling my zucchini out of the house ("No, I'm sure your purse was that heavy when you came in...don't bother checking it. I'm sure it's fine.") I am going to have to be a bit more creative, I fear.