The Freshman Cook: Pear Crostata /#FabulousFallBounty

While Spring produce seems to get the lion’s share of attention – think pea shoots and fiddlehead ferns – Fall’s fabulous produce is sandwiched between the glut of pumpkin recipes for Halloween and the sweets-heavy holiday season. So, this year, a dozen food bloggers have gathered to share recipes and ideas that celebrate the #FabulousFallBounty. Many thanks to our event sponsors: Silpat for a handy silicone mat; Le Creuset for a lovely serving platter; and Melissa’s Produce for providing the bloggers with a beautiful box of goodies.

We hope you enjoy our creations using fingerling potatoes; delicata, butternut, and acorn squashes; garlic and shallots; roasted chestnut and steamed beets; fennel and celery root; pears and so much more! Keep an eye on these blogs for inspiration as we rush towards Thanksgiving…

A Day in the Life on the Farm

Bear and Bug Eats

Cookaholic Wife

Cooking with Carlee

Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Family Around The Table

Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Simple and Savory

Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

The Crumby Kitchen

The Freshman Cook

The Redhead Baker To me, it wouldn’t be fall without a tasty dessert made with pears. When I received the box of fall produce and fruits from #Melissas Produce and found the Forelle Pears I was thrilled! They have always been a favorite of mine, and I knew I wanted to showcase them by making this Pear Crostata. A crostata is a rustic pie with very little structure to it. They scream “fall” in their simple beauty, and these pears are the perfect compliment to the crostata.
Pear Crostata
(recipe makes 2 crostata)
(printable recipe at end of post)

Dough

1 1/4 cup Flour

1 1/2 tablespoon Sugar

Pinch Salt

1/2 cup Cold Unsalted Butter

Ice Water, if needed

Filling 

1/3 cup Sugar

1 1/2 tablespoon Corn Starch

1 teaspoon Vietnamese Cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger

3 Pears

1 Egg White

1 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar

Whipping Cream

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together the flour, sugar and salt using a food processor. Add the butter, one piece at a time. Keep processing until the dough pulls itself from the side wall of the food processor. Add a bit of water if needed to get the right consistency.

Divide the dough in half. Roll each half out to 1/16″ thickness. Using a #silpat makes rolling the dough out much easier. Wrap each disk in plastic to keep fresh while making the filling. If you make the dough a day ahead of time, wrap the dough in plastic, and refrigerate. Remove from refrigeration approx. 1/2 hour before you want to use. 

Mix together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and ginger.

 Peel and slice the pears, then add pears to the bowl of seasoning.

 Peel and slice the pears, then add pears to the bowl of seasoning.

Place half of the filling on one disk of dough, and the other half on the other disk.

Fold the dough over the filling, leaving a portion of the filling visible.

Brush egg whites over the top of the crostata. Sprinkle dark brown sugar over the top of the filling and crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Remove crostatas from the oven and let them cool on a rack. Whip the whipped cream, and while mixing add the vanilla. Top crostata with whipped cream. Sprinkle cinnamon over whipped cream.

Enjoy your Pear Crostata, and Thank You for stopping by today!

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Check out these delicious recipes from my blogging friends:

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