You probably wouldn’t recognize the crabapple tree this time of year. The boughs are heavy with the tiny apples.
If you have the urge to make a quick dessert this month, but you don’t want to go to the effort of making a pie, cake, or cookies, this is the perfect time of year to roast late summer and fall fruit. Yes, the technique just like you would vegetables! By slow cooking, the sugar comes out and makes a delicious compote that is as comforting as pudding.
I have roasted both peaches and pears (separately) and they are fabulous. Just remove the skin, slice thinly, and place into a mixing bowl. Add a dash of sugar (brown, white, or a mixture), a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a little bit of butter. Place into a oven-proof pan and cook at 325 degrees until the fruit is soft. You can serve this with cream, ice cream, or just on its own.
The beauty in this recipe is it’s a “set it and forget it” kind of dessert. (Please forgive the quip, but it’s true!) You can put it in the oven if you are roasting a chicken or during dinner if you have guests. Of course, if you actually do forget it in the oven, it can overcook, but it would have to be in there for hours for that to happen. Just keep an eye on the clock and cook no more than an hour.
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Sometimes I read stories in the newspaper that just make me smile. (Believe me, these days, that is rare.) So when I read this story the other night, I knew I had to share it, since it relates to the enjoyment of dining with others.
Enjoy!
My Vermont Kitchen 
I love that story about Harry Rosen…makes me want to go to NYC and find him for a dinner date. I guess in the meantime I need to go out in London and look for some lonely old men to eat with?? 🙂
I wanted him as my dinner date as well! What a sweetheart! 🙂
Oh Chris, thanks for the story about Harry Rosen. I loved it all but got a real kick out of this statement – :You don’t win over the likes of Jack Linsky, the founder of Swingline staplers, by dining at dumps. ” The fruit idea sounds yummy but the story is priceless!
I’m so glad this story got an even wider audience. I agree, it was priceless! 🙂
Love this Chris,
I’ve also roasted fruit the lazy way–with skins on.
I’ve never thought of roasting with the skins on, I’ll try that next time! 🙂 Thanks for the tip! I learn new things all the time!
About how long does the fruit take to roast?
Lisa, for me it usually takes about an hour, but you can always cook it longer. It depends on how soft you like your fruit. I’d check it after 45 minutes and poke the fruit with a knife to check the consistency! 🙂
I wanted to let you know that I roasted my first batch of fruit last night. I got some pears from my CSA that are a variety I know my kids wouldn’t eat plain so I remembered this blog post of yours, found it again and followed your directions. I used pears and peaches and I had some Trader Joe’s pumpkin ice cream. Oh Chris, it was heaven. While my son was slurping it up, he said, “amazing!” My daughter said, “can you do this every night?” SUCCESS! Thank you.
Yay! Three very happy eaters! What a wonderful story, and I’m so happy it was delicious! 🙂
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