Sharon, Because it's possible to have both -- a peach out of hand AND a peach pie. It's not either/or; I'd never deny myself the pleasure of a peach pie -- that "something else" one does in transforming peach to pie is truly something else. Indeed, I think that peaches (my favorite fruit) become even more luscious cooked in pies and cobblers, where their essence is distilled. I have made pies out of lesser peaches, as you suggest, and they don't "do." A delicious peach makes a delicious pie, a mediocre peach makes a mediocre pie. This holds true for any ingredient that is so prominent in a finished baked good. Thank you, Steven - very well said! - PJH

• Reply