Recipe: Summer Fruit Crisp

No other season brings such an abundance of delicious fruit than summer. Along with fabulous flavor, summer fruits serve up a medley of great nutrition. 

The Flavors of Summer

Summer fruits, like berries, peaches, cherries, nectarines, apricots, and watermelon, are bursting with antioxidants and phytochemicals (many of which have a protective effect against cancer), as well as vitamins, minerals and fiber. They also contribute to our overall hydration.

Similar to crumbles and cobblers, fruit crisps are a great summer dessert. Simple and versatile, crisps are not fussy and don't require any special technique and showcase the fruit.

Try this crisp recipe below, made with peaches, cherries and blueberries. If you don’t have those fruits, nearly any combination and ratio of fruit will work. 

Crisps are always welcome at picnics and cook-outs, and are even wonderful for breakfast with a bit of yogurt. Be creative and enjoy! 

Ingredients:

For the filling:

4 cups peaches, peeled pitted and sliced 

3 cups cherries, pitted 

1 cup blueberries

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons lemon juice 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 teaspoon lemon zest 

For the topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour 

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional) 

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, very soft

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2 quart baking dish. 
2. Make the filling: In a large bowl combine all the filling ingredients. Mix well to coat the fruit evenly. Transfer to the baking dish. 
3. Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl combine all ingredients from brown sugar through salt. mix well. Add the butter and mix until crumbly, using a spoon or your hands.
4. Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit. Place the dish in the oven on a baking sheet to catch any spills. Bake for 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden. Allow to cool a bit before serving.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Recipe shared by the oncology dieticians at John Theurer Cancer Center