Get the recipe: Nectarine Baby Food: Puree & Baby-Led Weaning
Nectarines for baby? Absolutely! While they may not be one of the very first foods you introduce, nectarines are a delicious way to add some variety to your baby's menu. Naturally sweet, juicy, and easy to serve as both a puree and a finger food for baby-led weaning, nectarines are one of my favorite fruits to offer during the summer months. Great for babies 6 months and up!
Ingredients
- 4 nectarines, pitted and chopped
- 3 tbsp water
- pinch cinnamon, cloves or nutmeg
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the chopped nectarines, water, and cinnamon.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until the nectarines are super tender.
- Transfer all ingredients to a blender and puree for 30-60 seconds or until smooth.
Notes
Age: 6+ months
Yield: 2-3 portions for baby
2-Minute Nectarine Baby Puree: if you have very ripe nectarines, you can simply add them to a blender with a pinch of spice and puree until smooth.
To Make for Baby-Led Weaning:
- Halved, ripe (6-9 months): Cut soft, ripe nectarines in half and remove the pit. A larger piece at this age helps your baby pick up this fruit easily. Feel free to leave the edible skin on (to help with grasping this slippery fruit) or you can peel it (and roll in finely crushed nuts, shredded coconut or hemp seeds).
- Halved, sliced, or diced (9-12+ months): Halves or slices will still likely be the easiest for your baby to pick up at this stage. If cutting nectarines into smaller pieces to help baby work on their pincer grasp, you will want to roll them in another 'crumb' food as mentioned above.
- Halved or whole (18-24 months): Depending on your toddler’s skill level, you can try offering either halved nectarines (pit removed) or a whole one (with the pit) so they can practice taking properly sized bites, chewing and swallowing. You can peel the skin or keep it on, but just know that it’s typical for toddlers to spit out the skin as they’re learning to eat. If offering a whole nectarine, it’s best to model eating one yourself, so that you can show them how to practice eating around this part.
- Pureed and mashed nectarines are also great for adding to yogurt, oatmeal, and other pureed fruits and veggies.
- To remove the pit from a fresh nectarine, insert a sharp knife into the stem end; slice into halves lengthwise to the pit. Twist the two halves in opposite directions, separate them and remove the pit.
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