Easy Peach Compote Recipe Without Canned Peaches
Experience the taste of summer all year with this irresistible, easy peach compote recipe without canned peaches! This versatile compote is perfect for topping pancakes, yogurt, and desserts, made with juicy Palisade peaches, zesty lemon juice, and a touch of natural sweetness. Easy to make and packed with flavor, it’s your go-to for capturing the essence of seasonal peaches.
How to Make Peach Compote
Ah, Colorado in the summer—there’s nothing quite like it. The days are warm, the skies are impossibly blue, and the mountains are green. But for me, one of the best parts of this season is the arrival of the famous Palisade peaches. If you’ve never had one, you’re in for a treat. These peaches are the juiciest, ripest, most flavorful fruits you can find, and they’re a true treasure of the Colorado summer.
The peaches have a unique blend of sweet, tart, and succulent juices. Most people say that they are the best they’ve ever tasted. The peaches develop their flavor and sugars due to long sunny days in Colorado and cool summer nights. This creates a constant temperature swing between day and night. This also helps maintain the fruit’s acidity, giving Palisade peaches a tangy definition. These juicy peaches are to die for!
Living in Colorado, I look forward to peach season all year long. When these vibrant fruits appear at farmers’ markets and local stands, you know summer is truly here. The aroma of ripe peaches fills the air, and it’s impossible to resist taking home a basket (or two!) of these golden beauties.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy Palisade peaches is by making a simple peach compote recipe. It’s the perfect way to capture the essence of the season and enjoy these peaches in all their glory. This compote is incredibly versatile—you can spoon it over yogurt, swirl it into oatmeal, spread it on the cheesecake, or use it as a topping for ice cream or pancakes. This quick peach compote is a recipe that you will enjoy in the summer or winter.
Why Make This Easy Peach Compote Recipe
Making peach compote without canned peaches is a great way to capture and enjoy the essence of summer’s juiciest peaches. Here are a few compelling reasons to whip up a batch:
- Seasonal Joy: It’s a delicious way to make the most of the peak peach season, especially with fresh, ripe Palisade peaches.
- Versatility: Peach compote can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert, making it a handy addition to your kitchen.
- Simple Ingredients: With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a flavorful treat without any complicated techniques.
- Natural Sweetness: It highlights the natural sweetness of the peaches while allowing you to control the amount of added sweetener.
- Homemade Goodness: Making compote at home ensures you’re using high-quality, fresh ingredients without any preservatives or artificial additives.
- Preservation of Flavor: It’s a fantastic way to preserve and enjoy the vibrant flavor of peaches beyond their short growing season.
In short, making peach compote lets you savor the taste of summer all year long!
Ingredients for Easy Peach Compote
- Fresh Palisade Peaches: The star of the show, these peaches are famous for their exceptional flavor and juiciness. Grown in the Palisade region of Colorado, they thrive in the area’s warm days and cool nights, developing an unmatched sweetness and texture. When you bite into a ripe Palisade peach, you experience a burst of summer with every mouthful.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice adds a bright, tangy note to the compote, balancing the sweetness of the peaches. It also helps to preserve the peaches’ vibrant color as they cook, keeping the compote looking as fresh as it tastes.
- Arrowroot Powder: Arrowroot is a natural thickener that works beautifully in this recipe. It’s flavorless, so it won’t compete with the peaches’ taste, and it creates a smooth, glossy texture in the compote. Unlike cornstarch, arrowroot maintains its thickening power even when cooled, making it ideal for this dish.
- Swerve Sweetener: Swerve is a popular sugar substitute that adds sweetness without the calories. It’s made from natural ingredients like erythritol and is often used in low-carb and keto-friendly recipes. In this compote, Swerve enhances the natural sweetness of the peaches without overpowering them, allowing their flavor to shine through. You can use maple syrup, coconut sugar, dark brown sugar or honey instead.
- Optional: Ground cinnamon, star anise, fresh ginger, vanilla extract. Also, you can still make the sauce. If you do not have fresh peaches, use canned peaches.
Instructions
- Prep the Peaches: Choose large peaches (it is easier to remove the skin). Start by peeling and dicing fresh peaches. If they’re really ripe, the skin might come off easily with a gentle tug. Otherwise, blanch them in boiling water for a few seconds to make peeling easier.
- Cook the Compote: Combine the diced peaches with the lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat or medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the peaches start to release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix the arrowroot powder with a little bit of water to create a slurry, then add it to the peach mixture. Stir in the Swerve sweetener. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the compote has thickened to your liking.
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove the compote from heat and let it cool slightly. Mash the peach chunks with a potato masher or an immersion blender. for a smoother consistency, I like to keep it as a chunky sauce for texture. You can serve it warm or store it in the fridge to enjoy later.
How to Use It
- Over Pancakes, French Toast, or Waffles: Drizzle warm peach compote over your favorite pancakes or waffles for a fruity, sweet breakfast treat. The compote adds a burst of flavor and a lovely texture that pairs perfectly with fluffy pancakes.
- Swirled into Yogurt: Stir a spoonful of peach compote into plain or vanilla yogurt for a quick and healthy snack or breakfast. The natural sweetness of the peaches elevates the yogurt, making it feel like a special treat.
- Top of Ice Cream: Spoon the compote over vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a simple yet elegant dessert. The warm compote contrasts beautifully with the cold ice cream, creating a comforting and delicious experience.
- On Oatmeal, Parfaits, or Porridge: Add a dollop of peach compote to your morning oatmeal or porridge for a burst of fruity flavor. It’s a great way to make your breakfast feel more indulgent while still being healthy.
- With Cottage Cheese or Ricotta: Pair peach compote with cottage cheese or ricotta for a high-protein snack. The creamy cheese balances the sweetness of the compote, making for a satisfying and nutritious option.
- As a Filling for Crepes, Cheesecakes or Pastries: Use peach compote as a filling for crepes, turnovers, or other pastries. It adds a sweet, fruity center that complements the buttery, flaky pastry.
- On Toast or Biscuits: Spread the compote on toast, biscuits, or scones for a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy your peaches. It’s a wonderful alternative to traditional jam or preserves.
- As a Sauce for Grilled Meats: For a savory twist, use peach compote as a sauce or glaze for grilled meats like pork chops or chicken. The sweetness of the compote pairs beautifully with the smoky, savory flavors of the meat.
- In Cocktails: Mix peach compote into cocktails for a fruity twist. It can be used as a base for a peach Bellini, or stirred into a bourbon or whiskey cocktail for a touch of sweetness.
- Cold Cheesecakes: My favorite way is to top off my cheesecakes.
Storage
Store your fresh fruit compote in an airtight container or small mason jars in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge before using, and enjoy the taste of summer any time!
This simple fruit sauce is a great fruit preserve to keep in your pantry for winter months. It’s one of those simple recipes that you have to make and keep on hand!
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Easy Peach Compote Recipe Without Canned Peaches
Ingredients
- 6 Peaches
- 1/4 cup Swerve sweetener or sweetener of your choice
- 1 tbsp Arrowroot
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice — divided 1/2–1 cup water freshly squeezed
- Ground cinnamon, star anise, fresh ginger, vanilla extract. optional
Instructions
- Peel and slice the peaches: Start by peeling and slicing ripe, fresh peaches. If the skin is soft, you can leave it on for added texture and color.Prepare the ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the peach slices with a small amount of water. Add sweeteners like honey, sugar, maple syrup, or monk fruit, depending on your preference. Add a splash of lemon juice for a bit of tang.Add spices: Enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of cinnamon, a vanilla bean, or even a star anise for a warm, aromatic twist.Cook the peaches: Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until the peaches soften and the liquid reduces to form a syrupy texture. This should take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the ripeness of the peaches.Cool and serve: Let the compote cool before serving. It can be enjoyed warm over pancakes, yogurt, or ice cream, or stored in the fridge to be used later.