10.14.11 I'll Crumble For You

Crumble 790 xxx
photos by gluttonforlife
Pretty soon there won't be much fresh fruit to rave about. I'm looking forward to quinces, Bosc and Bartlett pears and of course apples all winter long, but while they're still available, I'm eating plums. The late-season varieties have an intensity of color and sweetness that is like the farewell kiss of a summer romance. There's no better way to showcase them than in a simple crumble. The fruit is the star, and you can accentuate its flavor by imbuing the crunchy topping with some subtle complements. For plums, I like to add a little almond and cardamom. (I know, I put cardamom in everything, but it really does go so well with plums!)
Plums 790 xxx
purple reigns
Use perfectly ripe plums that are not mushy. It's nice to use a mix. Toss them with a little honey and some port before layering them in a casserole or pie pan. You could also add some orange zest, fresh grated ginger, even a little marmalade or jam of any kind.
Crumble ingredients 790 xxx
this dessert comes together easily with just a few ingredients
I use organic rolled oats for my crumble topping. These are less processed than quick oats. You can also use flour of various sorts, as well as chopped or ground nuts, or all of these in combination.
Plums 1 790 xxx
dance of the sugared plums
Crumble topping 790 xxx
ready to crumble?
You can make extra of this topping and keep it in the freezer; that way your next crumble is an even faster experience. You simply add pieces of butter to the sugar, oats and nuts and pinch it with your fingers to form those lovely clumps. For this version, I used the gluten-free flour mix from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery.
Raw crumble 790 xxx
ready to get baked
The extra-large crystals from turbinado sugar add a glistening, golden crunch that I happen to love.
Baked crumble 790 xxx
fresh from the oven
The only thing that improves a warm bowl of this is a dollop of crème fraîche, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Any leftovers make an ideal breakfast served with a little Greek yogurt. It's plum perfect.
 

Plum Crumble

serves 4
  • — 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
  • — 1 tablespoon port
  • — 2 pounds assorted plums, halved, pitted and thickly sliced
  • — 1/3 cup raw honey
  • — 1/2 cup chilled salted butter, cut into pieces
  • — 1/3 cup organic cane sugar
  • — 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • — 1/4 cup almond flour, or finely chopped almonds
  • — 3/4 cup organic rolled oats
  • — 1 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free is fine)

Mix flours, oats, 1/3 cup sugar and cardamom in medium bowl. Add butter and rub with fingertips until mixture forms coarse meal. Press with fingertips until mixture begins to clump together. (Crumb topping can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss plums, honey and port in medium bowl. Transfer to 9-inch deep-dish pie dish. Spread crumb topping over and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake until fruit bubbles and topping browns, about 1 hour. Cool slightly before serving, or eat at room temperature.

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5 Comments

Plum crumble is really one of my favorites! The tartness of it makes me smile. I wish I had some on hand... I often add cardamom to my apple crumbles, so you say I should pair the spice with plums too, hum..I'll have to try that. As for your questions: My parents are from the west coast, California and Oregon, but I have lived pretty much all my life in the south of France. Draw a line from Paris straight down to the mediterranean sea, that's home. If you're ever in France let me know! I haven't thought of mail ordering chiles...maybe... I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to grow them. Maybe next year?
alwayshungry on October 14, 2011 at 8:46 am —
How did the Thomas Keller flour work out?
Lisa on October 17, 2011 at 3:37 am —
Lisa, I'm liking the flour. I used it for a zucchini cake and it was really good. It contains some milk powder, which is different than most other GF blends.
laura on October 17, 2011 at 6:33 am —
This looks just amazing. I'm going to try to find some last fresh plums at the farmer's market this week for this!
The Wimpy Vegetarian on November 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm —
Good luck! We're on to apples and quinces here...
laura on November 1, 2011 at 3:32 pm —