Fruit Trees + the Highlands

Our new neighborhood is commonly referred to as the Highlands, which collectively refers to Highland and West Highland, neighborhoods in Northwest Denver.  Even when we lived in LoDo, I frequently ran through the Highlands, but it wasn't until we were under contract on the house that I actually paid close attention to my surroundings on these runs.

As it turns out, the neighborhood is a veritable fruit orchard!  Not only do we have a fruit-filled peach tree in our side yard (the peaches still need a few weeks but are coming along nicely), but I discovered that we have not one but three plum trees positively bursting with fruit in our front yard!  To my untrained eye, the plums appeared to be olives when we first saw our house.  I have a lot to learn.

On jaunts through the neighborhood, I've now spotted apricots, peaches that are already ripe, choke cherries, apples, crabapples, more plums, and pears.  The pears were the most surprising and exciting.... I even made Rob pull the car over so I could take a photo.  The things we do for those we love...

Between trying to unpack and organize our house, working, and training for an Ironman in September, I've found little time for cooking.  As of late last night, our kitchen is finally organized and I managed to bake not one but two things with the fruit I picked up at the farmer's market.  I promise a post with a real recipe this week!  I have put our lovely plums to use by making a Plum Crumble.  I now swear by this crumble recipe... the top is just delicious (as anything with that much butter ought to be).  You can decrease the butter if you'd like and certainly it will still be good... either way, try this recipe with whatever fruit you have available.  You will not be disappointed.

Comments

[talley]

J.E.A.L.O.U.S. super duper jealous of you and your urban foraging opportunities. Incredible. I've been doing a bit of urban foraging myself. Zach's colleague is out of town for three weeks and we borrowed their car this past weekend and while picking it up at their house I spotted that they have a blackberry bush and red currants. The blackberries weren't ripe, but I've been eating red currants with my oatmeal every morning :) There are gone for 3 weeks, I mean those little red lovlies wont last that long, I just haaaad to take them, otherwise they'd go to waste. In the same neighborhood I spotted an apricot tree in someones yard. Zach pretty much had to hold me back, otherwise I would have traipsed right into their yard and plucked their tree clean. eeek!

I'm going to make plum (crack) crumble tomorrow night for dinner. The little Italian prune plums have arrived in the market and I bought a kilo! That's a lot of plums. Perhaps a crumble and a buckle?

An IRONMAN? Darcy! wow, very impressive.

[Darcy Eden]

Talley, I have actually pictured myself sneaking around picking fruit in the neighborhood in the wee hours of the morning (I think 5 AM is the right hour... starting to be light outside but most are still sleeping). What is wrong with me?! Why don't you come to Denver for a visit and we can go together? I think such things are better with a partner in crime.

Currants? I have to confess - I've only ever had dried currants. I think that if your friends are away for 3 weeks, you are doing them a FAVOR by eating their berries. Yum.

Can't wait to hear what you think of the crumble. I hope you love it... I've made it a few times this summer both with plums and other fruit and absolutely love it (still).

Ironman - yes. I did one in 2010 and swore it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience... but here I go again!