Fall-Time Spiced Pear Crisp
- September 15, 2021
- Ashley Tyrner
Prep
10 mins
cook
35 mins
serves
6
With the fall season arriving, crisp season is in full effect! There is nothing that oozes autumn energy quite like cinnamon and cloves for evoking nostalgic feelings of fall-time. Always the perfect predecessor to the holiday season, baking in-season pears and apples to make warm, healthy desserts is one of my go-tos. Plus, I always feel a little bit better about my dessert choices when they contain fresh fruit as a nutritious means to help satisfy my sweet tooth.
Of all the different fall-time desserts such as crisps, crumbles, and even pies, there is something about the crisp which seems to reign supreme. I think this is due to the base of the recipe consisting of fruit, in today’s case, the juicy, buttery-like pear. Not only does this provide a healthier dessert option, but it can also result in us feeling a little less guilty about eating it. And not to mention, this recipe can actually double up as a breakfast for those of you bold enough to indulge in “dessert” during breakfast time.
Brief history on pears
Pears come in a variety of colors and types, and can typically be recognized by their distinct bell-shape. Believe it or not, but there are over 3,000 varieties of pears grown all over the world, and they originated in Southeast Asia. Fun fact: the first pear tree in the US was planted in Massachusetts way back in 1620. They’ve been a staple fruit here ever since!
Benefits of eating pears
Nutrient-packed – As with most plant-based foods hailing from Mother Nature herself, pears contain several vitamins and minerals that are necessary for supporting health and overall well-being. With only about 100 calories a fruit, pears contain healthy carbohydrates, as well as vitamins C & K, potassium, and copper. Not to mention, when you enjoy the skin of this fruit, you consume more polyphenols which help reduce the rate of damaged cells caused by free radicals.
Anti-inflammatory – Inflammation can be caused by an array of factors ranging from excessive alcohol and processed meats to high sugar amounts. When inflammation occurs in the body, one of the best things you can do is shift your diet to focus more on anti-inflammatory foods like pears. This fruit, along with several other fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that help fight off inflammation. Additional ways to decrease an inflammatory state include light exercise, drinking more water, and simply treating yourself to more adequate amounts of sleep on a nightly basis can help ease and lower inflammation levels.
Fiber-filled – Healthy, regular digestion is imperative for overall health in the body. To achieve a smooth-running system, one must eat a diet filled with the nutrient fiber as it helps aid the digestive process. Fiber-filled foods like pears are also vital for gut health, as fiber feeds the healthy bacteria that line the gut. Pears are at the top of the list amongst foods with the highest fiber contents, so be sure to eat up! This is especially important to note, when considering that many scientists think of the stomach to be like the 2nd brain in the body. Eating foods that help improve the stomach’s health becomes absolutely vital when viewing the stomach as a control center in the body.
How to eat more pears
To begin, I’d recommend viewing them as a simple, healthy, hydrating snack! They are so easy to take with you on-the-go, that you can just throw 1 or 2 in your bag to have on hand in case of needing to fight off any strong, mid-day cravings. If you have a strong taste for something sweet or carb-filled, eating a fresh piece of fruit will always be a more nutritious option over treats like cookies, bread, or chips.
Secondly, experimenting with different ways to cook and bake them will be super beneficial for those of you wanting to eat more pears. Today’s crisp recipe is just one example, however you can try swapping in pears instead of other fruits in crumble and pie recipes, as well as adding slices to a salad recipe, or using them as a base to create a savory sauce.
One of the easiest ways to add more fresh foods like pears into your diet, is definitely going to be using a produce delivery service. Through FarmboxRx, you can get fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to your home without even having to get up and go to the grocery store. We believe that eating farm-fresh produce should be a priority for instilling healthy habits, and by having a fruits and vegetable box delivered, you can be sure to hit all of your fresh food targets. We make sure to always include pears in our boxes when they are in season and at the perfect level of freshness to send to your doorstep.
Now let’s jump right into this spiced pear crisp recipe. Be sure to try it out for yourself and give us a tag at @FarmboxRx and make sure to use the hashtag #FarmboxRx #FarmboxLiving so that we can see how the recipe turns out. Happy eating!
Ingredients
Filling
6 medium pears
⅓ cup maple syrup
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1 inch ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
⅛ tsp cloves
Crisp
6 tbsp butter
5 tbsp brown sugar, packed
½ cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
- Prepare filling by slicing pears, removing the seeds and stems. Mince ginger.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pears, maple syrup, flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until mixed.
- In a separate mixing bowl, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, remaining flour, and rolled oats. Stir until a tender crumble forms.
- Add pears to a large cast iron skillet and form an even layer. Sprinkle crumble evenly over the top of the pears and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until pears are tender and the crisp is lightly golden.
Spiced Pear Crisp
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Filling
- 6 pears medium
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp whole-wheat flour
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cloves
Crisp
- 6 tbsp butter
- 5 tbsp brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Prepare filling by slicing pears, removing the seeds and stems. Mince ginger.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pears, maple syrup, flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until mixed.
- In a separate mixing bowl, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, remaining flour, and rolled oats. Stir until a tender crumble forms.
- Add pears to a large cast iron skillet and form an even layer. Sprinkle crumble evenly over the top of the pears and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until pears are tender and the crisp is lightly golden.