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Enjoy the Cozy Taste of Fall With This Easy Recipe

Warm Baked Apples & Pears

Apples and pears provide a great source of fiber making them a nutritious and tasty snack. Combined with spices, nuts and honey, this recipe offers a cozy autumn treat.

Feed Your Health With Fiber-rich Foods

Most Americans, around 95% of us, are not consuming the recommended daily amount of dietary fiber we need. A diet high in fiber can reduce cholesterol levels and control blood sugar — reducing the risk of developing serious health conditions such as colon cancer, heart disease and diabetes. If that isn’t enough incentive, consider that fiber can help you feel full longer, making it easier to resist snacking between meals.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 small Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples and/or pears.
  • ¼ cup unsalted almonds, chopped.
  • 2 tablespoons dried, unsweetened cranberries or raisins.
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  • 2 teaspoons honey.

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Fill a small baking dish with ¼ inch of water and set aside.
  3. Cut ½ inch off the top of the apples/pears. Reserve the tops.
  4. Core out the apples/pears, leaving the bottoms intact.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the almonds, cranberries/raisins and cinnamon. Stir gently.
  6. Drizzle honey over the almond mixture, stirring until the almonds and cranberries/raisins are coated.
  7. Spoon the almond mixture into the apple/pear cavities. Replace the tops and place in baking dish.
  8. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the apples/pears are tender and lightly golden.

By Courtney Mercier, RD, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center

Recipe provided by the American Heart Association.

What’s so Great About Apples?

  • Apples contain fiber, potassium and vitamin C.
  • They are an easy and portable snack option.
  • Choose from hundreds of varieties ranging from tart to sweet.

What’s the Best Way to Eat Apples?

  • Raw, cooked, whole or mashed.
  • Eat apples with the skin on to get the most fiber and nutrients.
  • Try sliced apples dipped in peanut butter.
  • Add chopped apples to oatmeal, yogurt and salads.

Selection & Preparation

  • Selection: Choose apples that are firm to the touch and free of any brown or soft spots.
  • Storage: Apples stored in a cool location, such as the refrigerator, will keep for several weeks.
  • Preparation: Wash apples before eating.
  • Cooking: Apples that are starting to shrivel are good for cooking. Try making applesauce or adding to baked goods.

What’s so Great About Pears?

  • Oregon has several different varieties of pears to enjoy!
  • They’re a low-calorie, fat-free food
  • They’re a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C
  • What’s the best way to eat pears?

Fresh Off the Tree

  • Ripened and fresh.
  • Dried, poached or baked.
  • Fresh in salads.

Selection & Preparation

  • Selection: Apply gentle pressure to the neck of the pear. It’s ripe if the neck is slightly soft.
  • Storage: Once ripe, pears can be stored in the refrigerator for three days.
  • Preparation: Leave the skin on the pear for the most fiber. Slice as desired.
  • Cooking: Enjoy fresh or try baking, poaching or grilling your pears.

Serving Size: 1 apple or pear with topping.

Amount Per Serving

  • Calories: 153.
  • Total Fat: 4.5 g.
  • Total Carbohydrates: 29 g.
  • Dietary Fiber: 5 g.
  • Protein: 2 g.
  • Sodium: 2 mg.
  • Total Sugars: 21 g (0 added sugars).

Recipe provided by the American Heart Association.

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