Have you ever thought about roasting fruit in the oven, just like you usually would with vegetables? A nice pan of mixed and diced seasonal fruit with spices and herbs to serve with freshly whipped cream or ice cream: this is the yummy-side of frutta cotta. Here are a few ideas for making this healthy dessert idea to perfection.
Roasted apples
If baked apples sounds like a dessert you’d get during a stay in the hospital, think again! This fast, easy recipe is a little different from your usual baked apples. Start by washing and coring a few varieties of apple (red, green, yellow). Slice into wedges with the peel still on. Place the apple wedges in an ovenproof dish, season them with orange juice, brown sugar or honey, a pinch of nutmeg, lots of cinnamon and some coarsely chopped almonds. Bake in a static hot oven at 390-400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes and serve in their warm syrup with a spoonful of freshly whipped cream.
Roasted pears
Another idea? Roasted pears! But be careful – pears are already so sweet, you don’t want to overdo it with additional sugar or honey. Either dice or slice the pear into wedges, season with mandarin juice (it’s more delicate than orange juice), some hand-broken walnuts, ground cinnamon and ground ginger. Cook them as instructed in the previous recipe. Roasted pears go very well with creamy ricotta cheese blended with a teaspoon of honey.
Roasted seasonal fruit salad
If you want to make a warm fruit salad, start by dicing the selected seasonal fruit (i.e. apples, pears, oranges, persimmons or grapes, and perhaps some sweet vegetables like fennel and carrots). Then season with orange juice, honey or sugar and some sprigs of rosemary for a more rustic flavor. If you don't like the taste of rosemary, use some mint leaves instead. Once roasted, add some fresh pomegranate seeds for freshness, color and a sour note that dampens the sweetness of the roasted fruit. This warm fruit salad recipe is delicious served as is, but you can also accompany it with creamy white yogurt or ice cream if desired.