Strawberry Peach Popsicles and Summer in Arizona

Well, the heat is finally here, and has decided it is going to stay.  It was 118 degrees this weekend!  But before you start to wonder how we can possibly take those temperatures, let me tell you there are many reasons why it is good to live in Arizona in the summer time!

1.  You don’t have to worry about germs on the grocery carts.  They all get burned off when the carts are sitting outside in the parking lot.

2.  Driving to work is a breeze.  The streets aren’t crowded as all the smart people winter visitors have left and gone back home.

3.  It is no problem getting exercise as you get lots of it when you park 2 blocks away from every store because it is the only parking place that has the shade from one twig hanging over it.

4.  If your oven stops working, you can always go fry an egg on the sidewalk.  It will probably cook faster anyway.

5.  The local hotels are cheap since no one wants to be here during the summer.  It is possible to go stay at the hotel of your dreams where you can turn the air conditioning on as cold as you want.

6.  You can actually save money living here in the summer because

A.  You have access to a sauna without having to pay the gym fee – just go outside.

B.   Sandstorms equal automatic exfoliation – no need to pay for a facial.

C.   A tanning booth isn’t necessary – just walk from the house to your car.

7.  It is the only place where you get to experience summer and winter at the same time as the stores turn their air-conditioning on so cold you need a sweater.  Since we have no winter, this works out just fine.

8.  It gives you something else to do with your oven mitts (use them to hold on to the steering wheel of your car).

9.  The monsoons take the boredom out of the same old weather every day.

10.  You always have something to talk about with a stranger.  It usually goes something like this:  “Hot enough for ya?”  “Yeah, but it’s a dry heat! LOL”

11.  It is the only place where you can swim and not get cold as the pools feel like bath water (very hot bath water).

12.  The most incredible sunsets give you something to do every night.

13.  And the final (and best) reason, the heat gives you an excuse to eat more ice cream and popsicles!

Now if those are not good reasons to want to spend your summer in Arizona, I don’t know what is.  It is also quite possible the heat has fried my brain over the years.  I think it may have a cumulative effect.  And I was born here…. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this recipe for Strawberry Peach Popsicles.  They remind me of an Arizona sunset.  They taste just like fresh fruit (only colder and sweeter) and are guaranteed to keep you cool and brighten your day!

Strawberry Peach Popsicles

• Servings: approximately 8 popsicles depending on the size of your molds
• Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

For the Strawberry Layer:

• 1 quart strawberries, washed and halved
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 6 Tbsp. sugar or to taste depending on how sweet your strawberries are

1. Place strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar in a blender.  Blend until smooth.
2. Pour liquid into the bottom of 8 popsicle molds.

For the Peach Layer:

• 2 cups fresh peach chunks that have been peeled (approximately 3 peaches depending on their size)
• 3 Tbsp. sugar or to taste depending on how sweet the peaches are

1. Place peach chunks and sugar in the blender.  Blend until smooth.
2. Very slowly pour peach mixture on top of the strawberry mixture.
3. Insert sticks.
4. Place in the freezer overnight.
5. When ready to eat, run warm water over the outside of the molds for about 30 seconds or until the popsicles loosen and you can remove them from the molds.

Recipe by Cook AZ I Do, adapted from The Slow Roasted Italian 

 

 

 

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