Peaches have been adored wherever and whenever they were grown. "Downy peaches," as Virgil called them, were brought to these shores by the Spaniards, but it was the American Indians who fell for them and spread them across the continent, so that peach orchards sprung up even before the settlers could make their trek west.

Even today, it's a Chinese custom to serve peaches at birthdays as emblems of hope, longevity, and affection. The fruit's association with immortality isn't entirely farfetched. Teaching your child to eat well is the best way to ensure he lives a long and healthy life. Peaches are low in fat and high in fiber, and they contain a good deal of beta carotene, believed to boost the immune system. A single peach contains 11 percent of a 5-year-old's daily requirement of vitamin A, plus vitamin C and potassium, says Sheah Rarback, registered dietician and director of nutrition at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami. Besides, the slip-slidey sweetness of peach flesh makes it a favorite with kids.
Peach Shakes
Peach Gels
Fish Cakes with Peach Dipping Sauce
Grilled Chicken and Peach Kabobs