Let fall flavours inspire your next dessert
What comes to mind when you think of fall flavours? Pumpkin, apple, cranberry? Some of the first signs of fall are these foods coming into season, and the Thanksgiving festivities that follow.
Thanksgiving is a special time of year for many, as it’s a time for friends and family and, of course, food! And dessert is usually a staple at Thanksgiving dinner.
Luckily, fall is one of the best times of year to take advantage of in-season produce to make delicious – and more nutritious – desserts. Some of these in-season flavours include:
Apples and Cranberries: Fruit has naturally occurring sugars that can add flavour and sweetness to any dessert. With these fruits now in season, try making an apple- cranberry crisp for your Thanksgiving dinner this year. Apples and cranberries both contain fibre and vitamin C.
Pumpkin: Feeling ambitious this holiday season? Try making your own pumpkin purée by roasting and blending a sugar pumpkin. No time for that? Instead, try buying unsweetened pumpkin purée and sweeten/ flavour it to your liking. Pumpkin purée can be used for many desserts including parfaits, loaves and of course pie filling. Pumpkin is a source of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium.
Sweet Potato: Get creative and try incorporating sweet potato into a dessert this fall. The natural sweetness makes it perfect for baking into a pie, cookies or even a cake. Sweet potato is a source of fibre, vitamin A and vitamin C.
While it’s great to make the healthier choice when you can, keep in mind it is also important to enjoy the food you eat and the experiences you have while sharing a special meal with friends and family.
If the suggestions above don’t work for you, no problem. Take time to enjoy your food, and savour the sweetness without the worry.
Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s a quick and delicious Thanksgiving dessert. This apple crisp requires only six in- gredients and is ready within 60 minutes. For this recipe you can skip peeling the apples, which is a bonus not only because of the extra fibre but also the time you’ll save!
Organic Apple Crisp
Ingredients 6 PC Organics Hand-picked Gala Apples unpeeled, cored 1/2 cup (125 ml) PC Organics Sugar 1/2 cup (125 ml) PC Organics Quick Oats
1/2 cup (125 ml) PC Organics Unbleached All-purpose Flour
1 tsp (4 ml) Cinnamon
1/2 cup (125 ml) PC Organics Churned Salted Butter
Instructions
• Preheat oven to 400º F (200º C). Spray 8-inch (2 L) square baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cut each apple into 8 wedges. Cut each wedge crosswise into 1/4-inch (5 mm) thick pieces.
• In bowl, toss apples with 2 tbsp (25 ml) of the sugar. Turn into prepared pan. In same bowl, mix together oats, flour, cinnamon and remaining sugar. Using fingertips, rub in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over apples.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until apples are fork-tender and topping is golden. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 6 servings
Per serving: 340 calories, 16g fat, 125mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate, 3g fibre, 3g protein
Recipe source: pc.ca
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