Nectarines, are also summer fruit. Nectarines are a member of a rose family and closely related to peaches and almonds. It is one of the oldest of all fruits and apparently grew in China before the time of Christ. Look for a plump fruit with orange-yellow color between the red areas. And gently squeeze it in your palm. When fruit gave to little pressure it is ready to eat. If you buy firm to moderately hard Nectarines, they will ripen normally within 2-3 days at room temperature. Avoid hard, dull, or shriveled fruit.