Pear & Apple Crumble

Autumn is finally here. The cooler change in the air is such a relief from the sweaty nights and hot days we've been having not to mention the plague like mosquitoes this year. With the change of the seasons comes a change in produce and comfort food makes a comeback. 

We have some beautiful Bosch Pears in season for the next couple of weeks only as they run a very small growing window. To take advantage, we have been making this delicious pear and apple crumble. It's best served warm with organic thickened cream or plain vanilla ice cream and eaten in the company of loved ones. 

INGREDIENTS:

For the Filling:

• 3 pears & 3 medium size apples, sliced ¼ inch thick 
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar
• 1¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon candied ginger finely minced or 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1¼ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

For the Crumble:

• ½ cup old-fashioned/rolled oats
• ½ cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for a more caramel taste) 
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• A dollop of thickened cream or vanilla ice-cream to serve

METHOD:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch pie dish or skillet or or 9x9 square baking dish or baking pan and set aside.
   2. For The Pears: Peel and slice pears and place sliced pears in baking dish and toss with lemon juice and spread out in pan in an even layer
   3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the maple syrup, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, salt, and cornstarch until combined. Pour maple syrup mixture over pears and mix until evenly coated.
   4. For The Topping: In a separate medium size bowl, combine and stir the oats, pecans, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt
   5. Brown or Melt Butter: In a small saucepan set over medium heat, add the butter. Heat until the butter foams then begins to brown and becomes speckled (about 3-5 minutes), whisking every so often. Pour into the bowl with the topping ingredients and stir until crumbles form.
   6. Assemble: Sprinkle topping over the pear filling.
   7. Bake the crumble in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the fruit juices are bubbling and the top is golden brown. Fruit should be fork or knife tender. Tent with foil if topping starts to brown too quickly
   8. Allow the crisp to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or room temperature with vanilla ice cream and/or a drizzle of caramel syrup.

    

If you make this, take a photo and upload it to socials and tag us @clarencevalleyorganics - we would love to see your creation.