Nectarines Blossoming

I think we’re going to have a banner year for fruiting trees. At least I hope we do. We should have something to show for that last year of endless rain. And looking at the buds that have opened on the nectarine tree I feel quite optimistic.

This poor tree has seen better days. A five-story high pine tree fell on it, which it survived as well as it could. To add to its misery one of our many self-seeded elderberries decided to plant itself right in the center of our misshapen nectarine tree. Eventually my he-man removed most of that interloper but it took its toll that year. But despite all of that drama, this feisty tree keeps on keeping on and even presents us with delicious fruit at the end of most seasons, though some harvests surely are more abundant than others.

The thing is that I do nothing to encourage this specimen. I don’t feed it and barely water it in droughts, yet it continues producing. The biggest issue we’ve had with the nectarine tree is that possums can eliminate all hanging fruit that we’ve lovingly allowed to ripen, in one fell swoop. So I’ve learned that the best method for salvaging these nectarines is to pick them as late as possible but also earlier than when they’re fully mature. That way we avoid being downhearted when we come out on a propitious morning with a basket to put them into.

Nectarines aren’t even my favorite fruit. But when I slice them and sauté them lightly in good butter with a little sugar and a dash of lemon juice, they’re irresistible.