National Fruit Compote Day is celebrated annually on March 1.. Originating in France in the 17th Century, the word “compote” means “mixture,” which is exactly what the dish is – a mix of fruit, sugar syrup and spices. Compotes are made using fresh or dried fruit stewed in sugar syrup mixed with flavorings. Whole or pureed fruit can be used. Commonly used fruits are pears, apples, plums, berries and rhubarb.
As you plant your garden this coming spring, you may want to plan some fruit additions to take advantage of this yummy dessert. For information on planting strawberries and blueberries in Iowa, check out these resources from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach posted by Backyard Abundance:
Many fruit trees also do great in Iowa. If you missed our blog post from February 2015 on growing your own fruit, you can read it here. By planting fruit producing plants and trees in your upcoming garden scape, you are sure to have a healthy harvest full of fresh produce for compote and many other fruit recipes. Until you can harvest fresh from your garden, here is a slow-cooker version that uses ingredients you can find at your local grocery store:
Slow Cooker Fruit Compote
Courtesy of Food Network’s The Kitchen
1 16 ounce package frozen peaches
1 cup apple cider
1 cup dried cranberries
¼ cup brown sugar
2 apples, cored and sliced
1 cinnamon stick
1 lemon, juiced
Additional recipes for compotes can be found all over the web and in cookbooks. Do you have a favorite you are willing to share?
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have regarding fruit bearing trees or plants. We would love to hear from you! Call the main line at 515.987.0800 to chat with our Garden Center staff.