plumble

about a month ago i moved to oregon, and since then i haven't had much time for cooking adventures. i can honestly say that i have never consumed more sandwiches/veggie burgers in a one month period. but when life gives you an abundance of tart wild plums, a plumble (or plum crumble, adapted from deliciously organic) is certainly in order.

plum part:

5 cups pitted plums, roughly chopped (tart regular plums, or even cherries could easily be substituted for the wild stuff)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon triple sec (or any complimentary booze)

ble part:

1/2 cup almond meal
3/4 cup unbleached flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick) very cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

preheat oven to 350 F.

in a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook plums, sugar, and honey until the sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes). combine the cornstarch with a little bit of cold water to prevent clumps and stir into the plum mixture. allow to cook, stirring  for an additional 5 minutes until thick. remove from heat and stir in the triple sec. transfer the mixture to a baking dish, making sure to spread it evenly along the bottom.

for the top: combine the almond meal, flour, 3/4 of the oats, sugar, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor. add the butter and pulse until the mixture comes together and resembles coarse crumbles. if the mixture is too dry, add water at teaspoon intervals. stir in the remaining oats. if the mixture has become warm, it may be a good idea to allow it cool for 5-10 minutes in your freezer. sprinkle over the plum mixture and allow to bake for 35-40 minutes.

serve warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla to compliment the tartness of the plums, and enjoy!