Expect apricots soon. Or maybe they're "on" in your area already. If so, you are lucky. I wait all spring for these. This is an amazing fruit that has such an unusual taste. And don't let their tiny size fool you. With low fat and plenty of fiber, apricots are packed with ample doses of LOTS of essential vitamins and beta carotene. With one (raw) serving totaling only about 60 calories, apricots deserve much more attention.

Other health benefits of the apricot include its ability to treat indigestion, constipation, earache, fevers, skin diseases, cancer and anemia. Apricot oil is useful for treating strained muscles and wounds. It is also believed that apricot is good for skin care, especially for women. Hence it is added to many skin care cosmetics.

I like to puree them in my Vitamix (skin and all) and then can this with a smidge of stevia--it's my own version of Apricot Nectar. I like to freeze sweetened puree in ice cube trays, too. Frozen apricot cubes are positively scrumptious added to fizzy mineral water (my own "legal" soda pop). And of course, they're wonderful dehydrated, but I LOVE baking with them--tarts especially.

I like the classic nature of a tart baked in a tart pan, but a rustic tart baked flat on a sheet pan is really charming and shouts "Picnic!" to me. I have all sorts of apricot tart and pie recipes, but I found this one on a website I like, Care2. It is fairly simple since it relies on a puff pastry shortcut, and exceptionally delicious because of an addition of a simple homemade almond paste.

Finally, notice as you drive around town that it's fairly common to see untended apricot trees--loaded and with fruit falling to the ground. More than once I've pulled over, knocked at the door of the tree-owner, and asked if I could pick the tree in turn for removing all the damaged fruit from their lawn. Almost 100% of the time I've been told "Be my guest!" So if you get that lucky, way to go, and give this wonderful rustic tart a try!