Baked Nectarines with Cinnamon-Almond Streusel

Baked summer fruit is irresistible when topped with a crumbly almond streusel topping. Substitute peaches or plums if you wish. For a delightful contrast in temperature, serve the warm nectarines with dollops of cold nonfat vanilla yogurt.

 

Baked Nectarines with Cinnamon-Almond Streusel

 

Canola oil spray

4 ripe but firm nectarines, halved and pitted

6 Tbs. (2 oz./60 g) whole wheat flour

6 Tbs. (2 1/2 oz./75 g) firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. sea salt

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/3 cup (2 oz./60 g) roasted almonds, chopped

 

Preheat an oven to 400°F (200°C). Coat a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33-cm) baking dish lightly with the canola oil spray.

 

Arrange the nectarines, cut side up, in the prepared dish. Cut a thin slice off the round side of each half to help them sit flat, if you like. Set aside.

 

In a food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter pieces and pulse just until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Do not overmix. Stir in the almonds. Squeeze the flour-sugar-butter mixture into small handfuls and distribute it evenly over the nectarine halves, pressing it lightly to adhere.

 

Bake until the nectarines are tender when pierced with a small knife and the topping is nicely browned, about 20 minutes. Arrange 2 nectarine halves on each of 4 dessert plates and serve warm. Serves 4.

 

Find more simple, nourishing recipes in our cookbook Good for You, by Dana Jacobi.