Can Nectarines Be Substituted For Peaches In Baking?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Can nectarines be substituted for peaches in baking? Because of their similarities,

nectarines can be used interchangeably with almost any peach recipe

. In fact, sometimes nectarines are preferred for their smooth skin and firmer flesh.

Contents hide

What is a good substitute for peaches?

In most cases, nectarines can be substituted for peaches in equal measure. You may also consider

apricots, plums, and pluots

as a swap but the recipe will turn out quite different than intended.

Do nectarines and peaches taste the same?


Nectarines and peaches have a very similar flavor profile, but there are some subtle differences

. As previously mentioned, nectarines tend to be more aromatic; they are also slightly sweeter than peaches.

Are nectarines sweeter than peaches?

Nectarines are smaller than peaches but

are sweeter than peaches

, hence its name, which comes from nectar (sweet). The skin of a nectarine is smooth and glossy, often a much deeper red than a peach, but the flesh is similar, either yellow or white.

Can I substitute nectarines for peaches in jam?

Making and canning your own Peach jam or Nectarine jam is so easy. Here’s how to do it, in 12 simple steps and completely illustrated. I’ll discuss peaches below, but

you can substitute nectarines

! Any variations will be spelled out in the directions inside the pectin.

What fruit is closest to a nectarine?


Peaches

and nectarines are from the same family—genetically they’re identical except that nectarines have a recessive gene that makes their skin fuzz-less. Peaches come to us from China, via the Persians, along the trade routes of the Silk Road.

Why do they can peaches but not nectarines?

Nectarines are pretty much the same as peaches, without the fuzz, and one reason canners give for not packaging them this way is that

they bruise too easily

. The mechanical processing involved in canning would make them look so bad that people wouldn’t want to eat them.

Are nectarines as soft as peaches?

Nectarines are smaller than most peaches. They also have thin, smoother skin and firmer flesh.

Peaches have thicker, fuzzy skin and softer flesh

.

Can you can nectarines like peaches?


Just like peaches

, nectarines come in freestone and clingstone varieties. Freestone is the best to use for canning because it is the easiest for freeing the pits from the flesh. Nectarines have a bolder taste and aroma compared with peaches.

How are nectarines different from peaches?

They have very similar flavors, so the easiest way to distinguish a nectarine is by its skin.

Nectarines are smooth and have a slightly firmer texture than peaches

.

What two fruits make a nectarine?

A nectarine is not a hybrid of anything – it is merely a

smooth-skinned peach

. They’ve been cultivated as long as furry peaches.

Is nectarine a peach?

It’s a common misconception that a nectarine is a cross between a peach and a plum. Not true! In fact,

peaches and nectarines are genetically almost identical

, with just one gene that’s either dominant (in peaches) or recessive (in nectarines) that determines whether the skin is fuzzy or smooth.

Do you eat the skin on a nectarine?

Can you eat nectarine skin?

The skin of a nectarine is thin and perfectly edible

, so most people choose to leave it on rather than waste time peeling it off. Before eating the fruit, it should always be washed under cold water to ensure that unwanted spray and dirt is removed.

Can I substitute nectarines for peaches in pie?

When cooking, peaches and nectarines are essentially interchangeable, and

you can substitute one for the other

. So when baking one into a cobbler, grilling one for a BBQ, or slicing one up for an afternoon snack, you can expect a pretty similar result if you use one over the other.

How do you skin a nectarine?

  1. Use a paring knife to cut a small cross at the base of the fruit.
  2. Place in boiling water for 30 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to transfer to a bowl of iced water.
  3. Remove the fruit from the water and use the knife to gently pull the skin away from the fruit.

Do you have to peel nectarines before canning?

If you’re canning a lot of nectarines, you can pack the hot nectarines in quart-size jars and then process them for 25 minutes. Unlike peaches,

nectarines don’t really need to be peeled before canning

, but feel free to do so if you wish.

What can replace nectarines?

  • White-Fleshed Peaches.
  • Yellow Peaches.
  • Apricots.
  • Plums.
  • Pluots.
  • Apriums.
  • Mangosteens.
  • Asian Pears.

What is a substitute for nectarine?

Nectarines and peaches are actually the same species and have very similar characteristics. They can be swapped in

almost any recipe (except for canning)

.

Do nectarines have a lot of sugar?

Nectarines (

11 grams of sugar

, 15 grams of carbs, and 2.4 grams of fiber per medium fruit): Nectarines are tastiest when ripe and are a good source of fiber.

What does nectarine do for your body?

Nectarines are a smooth-skinned variety of peach that’s packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. They’re also low in calories and fat. Among other benefits, they

support iron absorption, boost weight loss, and enhance skin health

. This summertime fruit makes a simple, healthy addition to your diet.

Do nectarines have more sugar than peaches?

Peaches and nectarine contain a low amount of carbs.

Both have almost equal amounts of sucrose, fructose, and glucose

. Peache has 9.5g of carbs per 100g, and nectarine has 10g of carbs per 100g.

Is a nectarine a cross between a peach and an apple?


It is FALSE

. Nectarines are not crossbred fruit. They are the result of a natural mutation of the peach tree.

Do you have to blanch nectarines?

When preparing nectarines for cooking, the trick is to remove the skin while keeping as much flesh as you can. The best way to do this is to

quickly blanch the nectarines before peeling

.

Can I freeze nectarines whole?

Can you freeze nectarines whole?

Nope!

When frozen, the pit becomes bitter and taints the flavor. Cut the nectarine in half and remove the pit.

Can you freeze nectarine slices?


Yes, you can freeze nectarines

, and they can last in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can freeze them raw, or you could do a bit more prep and freeze them ready-to-use for any recipe you like. The key to freezing nectarines is making sure that you are using an air-tight freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag.

Can dogs eat nectarine?


Dogs can eat nectarines in limited quantities

. Nectarines are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and low in caloric content. However, as stone fruits, they contain a pit that can be harmful to dogs if swallowed.

Why would a nectarine be on a peach tree?

Kidd said most nectarines developed as “sport limbs,” or mutations, on peach trees. “The most common causes of that phenomenon are

overpruning or injury of some sort

,” he said. “That can affect the chromosomes in the limb. In fact, a lot of apple varieties have come along as limb sports.”

Which came first peach or nectarine?


Nectarines originated in China over 2,000 years ago

. They were developed from a peach by a natural mutation. In fact, nectarines are identical to peaches with the exception of one gene. The gene difference makes peaches fuzzy and nectarines smooth.

What is the most healthiest fruit in the world?

Do you put nectarines in the fridge?

Almost ripe nectarines will keep on the counter for two to three days as they ripen. 2. Fridge: If you have ripe nectarines but you don’t want to eat them right away,

store them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process and keep them for longer

.

What’s the healthiest fruit to eat?

  • Berries. Be it blackberries, cranberries, strawberries or blueberries, berries of all kinds are super nutritious. …
  • Apple. Apple is one super-fruit that can prove to be quite beneficial in your weight loss journey. …
  • Watermelon. …
  • Orange. …
  • Guava.

Do peaches and nectarines have the same nutritional value?

What is the difference between a nectarine and a plum?


Plums have smooth skin and are generally smaller and tarter than peaches and nectarines

. They come from several species, the most popular of which are the European (Prunus domestica) and Japanese (Prunus salicina) plums.

Are nectarines and apricots the same?


Apricots are a different species of fruit than peaches and nectarines

. They have more of a sweet-tart flavor when they’re ripe, and they aren’t as juicy.

How do you substitute fresh peaches for canned?

If you’re substituting fresh peaches for canned or frozen, plan on

three medium peaches, 2-1/4 cups chopped or 3 cups sliced peaches for every can or pound in the recipe

.

What’s the difference between nectarine and peach?

Peaches and nectarines are related stone fruits.

Nectarines are a type of peach without the fuzzy skin

. They’re nutritionally similar, boasting comparable amounts of natural sugars, fiber, and micronutrients. While peaches are more appropriate for baking and softer-textured recipes, nectarines stay firm for cooking.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.