In Latin, apricot means "precious," a label earned because it ripens earlier than other summer fruits. A relative of the peach, the apricot is smaller and has a smooth, oval pit that falls out easily when the fruit is halved.

Apricots originally came from China. This golden fruit has been around for more than 4,000 years. Apricots progressively made their way through the Persian Empire to the Mediterranean where they were fondly adopted. Spanish explorers introduced the apricot to the New World, and they were planted in the gardens of Spanish missions all over California. The first recorded major production of apricots in America was in 1792 south of San Francisco.

Apricots Today

In the United States, 95% of apricots grow in the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of northern California. More than 400 growers produce many varieties of apricots, the most common of which are featured in the table below. Growers continually experiment with new varieties that deliver sweet flavor and ship or process well.

Selection and Storage

Look for plump apricots with as much golden orange color as possible. Stay clear of fruit that is pale yellow, greenish-yellow, very firm, shriveled, or bruised. Apricots that are soft-ripe have the best flavor, but they must be eaten immediately.

Apricots will ripen at room temperature. To help them ripen, place them in a paper bag with an apple. When they yield to gentle pressure, they are ready to eat. Refrigerate ripe apricots, unwashed, in a paper or plastic bag up to 2 days. Wash them before eating. They are a perfect fast food anytime. To cut fruit, slice around its seam, twist it in half, and lift out the pit.

Apricots are available throughout the year from different regions:

Preparation

Apricots are great to eat raw, but they are also terrific cooked. These are some common cooking methods:

Broiling or grilling: Try threading the apricots (whole or halved) on skewers. Brush them with a little honey, and grill until semi-soft. Broiling apricots is easy. Simply halve the apricots, place them on a cookie sheet with the skin down and the cut side up, and heat for 7 to 10 minutes.

Poaching: It’s a great method for making a delicious sauce. Simply place the apricots with their skins intact into simmering water or fruit juice, and cook until tender. Adding spices such as cinnamon or cloves enhances the apricot taste. When the apricots are tender, the poaching liquid can be used as a sauce. Poaching takes about 6 to 8 minutes.

Recipes

Savory Fresh Apricot Bites
Serves 12. Each serving equals 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetables
Source: California Fresh Apricot Council

Ingredients

4 oz fat-free cream cheese, softened
12 fresh apricots, halved
½ cup pistachios, finely chopped

Stir cream cheese until smooth; pipe or spoon into apricot halves. Sprinkle tops with pistachios. Serve as an appetizer, snack, or dessert.

Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 77, Protein 3g, Fat 3g, Calories From Fat 26%, Carbohydrates 10g, Cholesterol 0mg, Fiber 2g, Sodium 52mg.

Apricot Bavarian
Serves 6 (4-ounce servings). Each serving equals 3/4 cup of fruit or vegetables
Source: California Fresh Apricot Council

Ingredients

8 fresh apricots (1 lb)
1½ envelopes plain gelatin
¼ cup water
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups non-fat vanilla yogurt

Drop apricots into boiling water to cover. Return to boil; simmer 5 minutes or until skins begin to split. Drain; rinse under cold water. Halve fruit; discard skins and pits. Puree apricots in blender or food processor; set aside. Combine gelatin and water in small saucepan; stir over low heat until dissolved. Mix sugar, apricot puree, and yogurt with a wire whisk until smooth; mix in dissolved gelatin. Chill until firm.

Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 174, Protein 7g, Fat 1/2g, Calories From Fat 3%, Cholesterol 1mg, Carbohydrates 37g, Fiber 1g, Sodium 67mg.

Apricot-Stuffed Chicken
Serves 4. Each serving equals 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetables
Source: California Fresh Apricot Council

Ingredients

2 whole chicken breasts, boned, skin on
1 cup dry stuffing mix
½ cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp ground ginger
4 fresh apricots (½ lb), halved
1 cup apricot jam
1 Tbsp cider vinegar

Place chicken skin side down, and pound it with a mallet to flatten slightly.
Combine stuffing mix, onion, butter, and ¼ tsp ginger. Spoon stuffing mixture in a strip along center of each breast. Place apricot halved on top of stuffing. Wrap chicken around filling; tie each chicken roll with a string every 2 inches. Barbecue on rack about 5½ inches above medium-hot coals 15 minutes, turning once or twice. Mix apricot jam, vinegar, and remaining ¼ tsp ginger.

Brush jam mixture over chicken rolls; continue cooking until done, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 449, Protein 17g, Fat 8g, Calories From Fat 16%, Carbohydrates 74g, Cholesterol 64 Mg, Fiber 5g, Sodium 419mg.

Apricot Cherry Cobbler
Serves 8. Each serving equals 3/4 cup of fruit or vegetables
Source: California Fresh Apricot Council

Ingredients

8 fresh apricots (1 lb), sliced
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups pitted fresh cherries (½ lb)
1 tbsp flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup yellow cornmeal
¼ tsp salt
1½ tbsp plus 1 tsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp grated orange peel
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, chilled
¾ cup non-fat milk

Heat oven to 375°F. Combine apricots and 1/3 cup sugar; set aside.
Combine cherries and 1 Tbsp flour; set aside. Combine dry ingredients; reserve 1 tsp sugar. Stir in orange peel. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk; stir just to moisten dry ingredients.
Combine fruit in buttered 1½ quart baking dish; spoon batter over top.
Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool slightly and serve.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 246, Protein 4g, Fat 6g, Calories From Fat 22%, Cholesterol 16mg, Carbohydrates 43g, Fiber 3g, Sodium 105mg.