The annual nectarine onslaught has begun again and, in fact, the prolific bounty has already managed to snap two branches with the weight. Harvest time is brief with pounds upon pounds of sweet fruit ready all at once. I want to rescue each juicy orb from Newton’s law, plucking them from the tree before they fall, but each morning I find a dozen plump globes bruised and broken upon the ground, their potential wasted. In my efforts to salvage the masses in the past, I’ve bubbled large caldrons of steamy nectarine jam, resulting in three dozen jars “put up.” One can only eat so much jam, however, and most of it remains languishing in the cupboard. I’ve also undertaken a raft of baked goods, but it’s a losing battle – a recipe requires a pound or two of fruit, while I’m picking a few pounds each DAY. I’ve tried freezing the fruit, but that resulted in mushy brown thawed blobs. I picked the first fat, ripe nectarines this week, preparing them with a drizzle of butter, sprinkle of sugar, and quick broil. I know I can’t save them all, but over the next few weeks, I’m willing to try.
Caramelized Nectarines
Ingredients
- 10-12 oz. Nectarines, sliced in half and pitted.
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pinch salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 Tablespoons sugar (preferably turbinado, like Sugar in the Raw)
- Pinch cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat broiler. Place nectarines, cut side up in a small casserole dish. Melt butter in microwave or small saucepan. Add salt and vanilla to butter and stir to combine.
- Drizzle butter over nectarine halves, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
- Broil nectarines about 4” from broiler element for approximately 8 minutes until fruit is bubbling and beginning to brown. Enjoy plain or serve with freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
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Nectarines are really one of my favourite fruit, I have to try this because it looks amazing!
The recipe is so easy, I’ve been making it almost every night to use up the nectarines. Enjoy!
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Growing up on a farm we would get the annual onslaught of peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums – generally a small pickup truck bed loaded to the brim. My dad did mechanical repairs for other farmers, in exchange we would get fresh harvested fruit or nuts or wheat berries. Also beef etc.
It was all hands on deck with my mom, my gran and me. Lots of washing and slicing. We had jams and syrups coming out our ears, and there’s only so much ice cream and flavored cake frosting to make.
Two options for using up big volumes of fruit fast is making fruit juice and fruit leather. My mom had a Mia safter, it made the absolute best plum juice. Then my dad would make fruit wines to store in the cellar to age. Great gifts for friends and other occasions.
I love all of these ideas. Thank you for sharing. Sadly, my nectarine tree died last year. I miss it terribly…eating the fruit warm and ripe right off the tree screamed “summer” to me.