Cathy Isom gives us a bit of history and great ways of celebrating a wonderful and delicious orange fruit. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Apricot lovers from all over the United States observe National Apricot Day every year on January 9th.
The apricot’s velvety flesh is similar to that of their relative the peach. The texture of the golden-orange fruit is more firm and the flavor more tart. This versatile fruit is enjoyed fresh, canned and dried. Apricots are best fresh off 
the tree but are also found in markets year round. With its unique flavor, the apricot is a versatile ingredient lending itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Packed with nutrients and an excellent source of fiber, a 1 cup serving of apricot halves contains 60% of the daily allowance of Vitamin A.
Apricots were discovered in China some 4,000 years ago, but found their way to North American when English colonists settled in Virginia. The apricot tree can grow to 45 feet if left unpruned. Almost all U.S. commercial production is in California, with some in Washington and Utah.
I’m Cathy Isom…