Contents:

• Caramelized pears with ice cream
• Apples and pears with oat crumble
• Winter apple compote with cloves and cinnamon
• Pear and apple mousse with cranberries

Although we're used to the fact that, every season, the stalls at local markets and the alleys with fruit sections groan under the weight of exotic fruits, we shouldn't forget that most of these are fruits brought to us from South America or Africa. They often contain preservatives, which allows them to survive the long journey to Europe. The healthiest option is to eat seasonal fruit, and we are guaranteed that it is rich in valuable vitamins and microelements, healthier and cheaper than fruit imported from far away. This is easy when blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cherries are in season, but how do we cope in winter when the only seasonal fruits to choose from are pears and apples? Here are some ways to create delicious, simple, and healthy recipes using winter seasonal fruits.

Caramelized pears with ice cream

• 3 ripe, but not falling apart pears
• 3-4 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup cane sugar
• teaspoon vanilla extract
• some water

Quarter the pears and remove the cores. Place them skin-side up in a pan with heated butter. When the pears are lightly browned, flip them over. When they're soft, add sugar, vanilla extract, and a little water (a spoonful is enough). The pears are ready when the sugar has dissolved. Place the warm pears on a plate, pour over the caramel that formed in the pan, and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apples and pears with oat crumble

• 3 apples
• 2 pears
• 5 tablespoons butter (can use coconut oil)
• 1.5 cups oatmeal
• 0.5 cups walnuts
• 4 tablespoons of cane sugar
• a few drops of lemon juice
• Cinnamon

Cut the fruit into cubes, including the skin. Place them on a baking sheet greased with butter or coconut oil. Brush them with a spoonful of sugar and cinnamon. Combine the oatmeal with the nuts, lemon, butter, and remaining sugar in a blender. Cover the fruit with the resulting mixture. Place the baking sheet in an oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 30 minutes.

Winter apple compote with cloves and cinnamon

• 1.5-2 kg apples
• 2 liters of water
• a few pieces of cloves
• a pinch of cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Quarter the washed apples and remove the cores. Place them in a saucepan and pour water over them. Add the cloves and sugar and let it simmer for about 40 minutes. Finally, sprinkle everything with a pinch of cinnamon.

Pear and apple mousse with cranberries

• 3 apples
• 2 pears
• half a cup of fresh or frozen cranberries
• a pinch of cinnamon to taste
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Cook peeled and diced cranberries with cranberries in a saucepan until they soften and begin to break down. While they're still warm, add sugar and cinnamon. Once cooled, stir until smooth and pour into glasses or salad bowls.

Seasonal winter fruits in our country include pears and, above all, apples, of which Poland is one of the largest exporters. We have many frost-resistant varieties. Apples are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals. They are worth eating daily, either on their own or as an addition to oatmeal or yogurt.