Black Velvet Apricots

If you happen to come across these dark, purplish orbs lightly dusted with fuzz at your local grocery store, try some because they are delicious. Grower and distributor, Kingsburg Orchards have given this fruit a sexy moniker, "Black Velvet Apricots,"and although it is really a cross between an apricot and a plum, its marketing name has much more allure. Its skin is sweeter than a plum and the flesh is a bright, golden yellow with a sugary taste and texture similar to an apricot: my reaction was "yum!" Besides eating fresh, Black Velvet apricots can be made into jams, sauces, pies and s'mores. For the latter recipe, just visit Kingsburg Orchards' website. This weekend I am going to make a galette with the Black Velvet apricots as its fruity centerpiece before the short season ends. Bon appetit mes amis!