Momma's Peach Ice Cream

It dawned on me a few days ago that our (almost take your breath away) humid southern summer has officially arrived in full force. And it made me think back to what I remember summers being like as a kid.  I remember staying outside all day long. Usually, until the street light came on. I remember that when the beautiful peachy- pink mimosa trees had bloomed out, it was officially summer. I remember kudzu covering nearly everything in existence (though, kudzu probably exists all year, I only seem to think of seeing it in the summer).  I remember lightening bugs in mason jars... and Momma’s zucchini bread (this was a summer memory for nearly every kid in our neighborhood!). I remember sticking pine straw in those little holes out in the backyard and “fishing” for whatever those little bugs were that lived in the hole (though I remember the pine straw wiggling, I don’t ever remember “catching” one of those bugs). I remember climbing the magnolia tree in our front yard and picking fruit in the neighbor's yard. But most of all, what brings back memories of my southern childhood summers most is Momma’s homemade peach ice cream. I can remember eating it late in the day. I can almost envision it dripping down my legs. It seems as a child, I could end up being a sticky mess from most anything I consumed. But, this ice cream was worth it. It was fresh and sweet. It was almost as sweet as my memories. I need to start making sure my girls experience some of my favorite childhood summer activities. Perhaps we will start with Momma’s Peach Ice Cream. Enjoy!

Momma's Peach Ice Cream
4 eggs
1 cup white sugar
2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 cans condensed milk (not evaporated milk!)
1 1/2 qts  milk
1/4 tsp salt
6 fresh peaches, must be very ripe
1/4 cup white sugar

Prepare the peaches:
Peel peaches. Dice into cubes. Combine with 1/4 c. sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let simmer until the peaches are soft. Set aside. Let cool completely.

Prepare the ice cream mixture:
In a medium pan, combine the remaining ingredients, except for the milk and condensed milk. Stirring continuously, over medium low heat, simmer until hot, but not boiling. Let cool completely to room temperature. (I even put mine in the refrigerator to cool it quicker) When cool, add condensed milk. Pour into ice cream maker. Add milk up to fill line. Freeze according to maufacturers directions. during the last five minutes in the ice cream maker, add the peaches. When finished freezing in ice cream maker (it will still be very soft-usually 25 minutes), transfer to a container and let freeze in your freezer. The ice cream usually does not become hard until it has been frozen in the freezer for several hours.