Summer Things
“It was a part of his policy always to be busy and occupied. He had supper alone in the Abbot House. After a considered time he walked around the corner on Central Avenue and rang the bell of Adam Trask’s house.
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
Inspiration
They patiently waited for me. I was amazed. I’d think of them and quickly move on. Now and again, I’d check in. Setting a date and picking a spot to rendezvous was more of a commitment than I was ready to make. I get so distracted with summer things. I want outside. When the coastal fog melts into sunshine I want to be there, floating on the rays, devouring every single day. Hopeful, like an old friend left waiting, they grew older. Beautiful, in a way that youth can not understand. Sweet, when flavor leads the dance and sugar follows along. The fiery red nectarines waited.
I was very serious about pie, but six nectarines are not enough to fill a pie. In just a few short months nectarines will be a memory and we will have to wait another year to enjoy summer stone fruit. I wanted to celebrate them in their prime. This recipe is excellent. It is so much better than I thought it would be. It is pure summer. I like to bake or jam ripe summer fruit but I’ve expanded my outlook. With pops the pure essence of the fresh fruit is captured. It’s a summer thing. There is just enough sugar and lemon to enhance both the nectarine and buttermilk layers. Each bite is bliss.
Essentials
My six nectarines needed a boost to equal the two pounds specified in the recipe. I added several sweet plums, with red skin and yellow flesh. In the end the nectarine flavor won. I used amaretto (which I already had) instead of the ginger liqueur, reducing the quantity to two tablespoons total. I can’t say that I tasted it in the finished pops. Use the best buttermilk you can find, it will make or break the middle layer in these vibrant summer pops. For uniform layers, mark the half-way fill point of the popsicle molds with washi or masking tape, and again before adding the buttermilk layer. The recipe for Nectarine Buttermilk Pops can be found here.
What a lovely popsicle! Never would have thought to use buttermilk in a popsicle, but looking at these and I’m convinced that it works. Thanks for sharing these popsicles!
Thank you MJ! This is a wonderful summer treat!
These look so beautiful, Deb! Nectarines are my absolute favorite summer fruit; one of those ones I wish I could get all year long, but their summer-only appearance makes me appreciate them more, maybe. 🙂 Definitely going to try this: my poor popsicle mold has been underused this summer, sadly, but I need to change that.
Thank you Shannon! This recipe really celebrates the season of nectarines.
What a refreshing and pretty way to celebrate summer.
Thank you Karen!
Really pretty pops! Don’t think I’ve ever had buttermilk in pops — fun idea. Hard to find good buttermilk these days, alas. We often make our own butter, and the buttermilk from that is superb. Better than the butter (which is pretty good!), actually. Anyway great way to use nectarines — thanks.
Homemade butter must be scrumptious! I splurged on fancy buttermilk at WF and it was worth it! Thank you for the gracious comment John.
Such pretty pops, Deb! I adore nectarines and those layers are gorgeous!
Yes to nectarines and the season of stone fruit! Thank you Laura!
This Popsicles look really delicious. I like adding buttermilk to sorbets , it gives it a rich flavor without the calories.
Thank you Gerlinde! I agree about buttermilk and I love the tangy flavor too.
Deb, I love the tanginess of buttermilk when combined with the sweetness of summer stone fruits. I’m going to have to dig out my popsicle molds and get to work!
Thank you Mary! This is a wonderful way to enjoy summer stone fruit!
Very beautifully and poetically written, Debs. You are having me craving sweet nectarines on this cool summer London day.
Thank you Kellie! It has been cool here too. Although the sunshine comes out for a few special hours every afternoon.
Beautiful and refreshing too, I bet! We are loving fresh peaches at the moment, but sadly not grown as near to us as your nectarines are to you. This was such a lovely summer post Deb!
Thank you Cathy! I adore summer.
What a great combination of flavors. I have never thought about putting buttermilk in a popsicle recipe but love the idea.
Thank you Denise! I thought this popsicle recipe was charming!