Fresh Fruit Crumble: A Delicious and Wholesome Dessert
Fresh Fruit Crumble is a beloved dessert that combines a variety of seasonal fruits baked with a crunchy and flavorful topping, creating a comforting dish perfect for any occasion. This version features a delightful mixture of fresh fruits, banana, and sultanas complemented by a wholesome crumble made from oats, sweet flour, and desiccated coconut. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth and brings plenty of health benefits.
Health Benefits:
- Nutrient-Dense Filling: The inclusion of a variety of fresh fruits provides a rich array of vitamins and minerals. Fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants, which help support immune function and overall health.
- High in Fiber: The rolled oats and fruits contribute significantly to the fibre content, promoting healthy digestion, maintaining stable blood sugar levels, and aiding in weight management by keeping you feeling full longer.
- Natural Sweetness: This dessert relies on the natural sweetness of fruits and bananas rather than excessive added sugars, making it a healthier option while still satisfying your sweet cravings.
- Heart-Healthy Ingredients: Ingredients like oats and unsweetened coconut are known for their heart-health benefits. Oats can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Versatile and Customizable: The beauty of a fresh fruit crumble lies in its versatility. You can choose fruits that are in season for maximum freshness and adjust the recipe to suit dietary preferences, including gluten-free options by using gluten-free oats and flour.
- Antioxidant Benefits: Many fruits and spices used in this crumble, such as berries and cinnamon, contain antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress in the body and reduce inflammation.
With its delicious combination of flavours and health benefits, this Fresh Fruit Crumble is a wholesome dessert that encourages the enjoyment of fruits in a delightful way. Whether you’re sharing it with family or indulging in a personal treat, this crumble is sure to please the palate and nourish the body! Enjoy the comforting embrace of baked fruit and crunchy crumble in every delicious bite.
Autumn (Fall) Fruits – Ideal for the crumble
Tangy Feijoa
Wash, top & tail the feijoas. No need to peel them unless they’ve been sprayed. Chop into chunks about thumb width. Put in a saucepan with the water, banana, (finely chopped or mashed), and sultanas. Stew for a few minutes until the skins change colour. Follow the rest of the instructions for Fresh Fruit Crumble, using cardamom.
Tips. Yes, you can eat feijoa skins!
- Feijoas in their skins have a stronger flavour and they’re more nutritious, since most plants carry a store of micro-nutrients in and under the skin. The skins are smooth and soft – easy to cut & eat.
- If you want less tang, scoop out the insides from some of the feijoas. If you prefer a sweet, syrupy dessert, scoop out the inside of the fruit only. Try it both ways and see what you prefer …
- Using locally grown fruit in season lowers your carbon footprint, supports the local economy, and helps with your budget.
Rhubarb
Wash the rhubarb, then chop it into chunks about thumb width. Put in a saucepan with the water, banana, (finely chopped or mashed), and sultanas. Add a punnet of chopped strawberries if you’re in a ‘treat’ mood. Follow the rest of the instructions for Fresh Fruit Crumble, using cinnamon.
Fresh Fruit Crumble
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 kg fresh fruit approx
- 1 large banana
- ½ cup sultanas
- 1 cup water
Crumble
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ⅔ cup sweet flour see notes
- ⅓ cup desiccated coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon or cardamom
- 1 large ripe banana
Instructions
- Wash the fruit and peel if you prefer. Chop into chunks about thumb width. Place in a saucepan with the water and sultanas. Stew for a few minutes until slightly soft. Taste, and if you want it sweeter, mash or finely chop the banana, add and stir.
- Heat oven to 180°C (350℉), then stir the dry crumble ingredients together in a bowl.
- Mash a banana into the dry ingredients to form a crumbly texture. Then mix using your hands, scrunching it into an even, crumbly texture.
- When the oven is hot, pour the stewed fruit into a baking dish, (Pyrex or ceramic is good), and scatter the crumb mixture loosely and evenly over the top.
- Bake approx. 30 minutes; (watch after around 20 minutes until you get used to how it behaves in your oven.). When golden on top, it is ready. Serve with plant milk, or plant-based yoghurt – (not coconut as it overwhelms the delicate flavour).
