Nectarine Problem

At my house we have a small nectarine tree in the backyard. Every other year our tree grows good sized nectarines, but this year it has grown millions of tiny nectarines...many of them are so small you can barely get one good bite out of them. So here is my problem...

The nectarines on my tree have all decided to ripen at one time and since they are so good I did not want them to go to waste. I spent about half an hour picking two bowls full of these little fruit and had no idea what to do with them. I decided I would make a nectarine pie. It sounded easy enough, but I did not think this idea completely through until it was too late! First, I had to peel the skin off of the nectarines which was a huge challenge to start off with. I sat and cut a tiny X with a knife on each nectarine then I threw them in boiling water for 20 seconds. I then had to sit there and peel about 150 of these tiny nectarines. It took me about an hour to get all of the little suckers peeled. Then I realized there is a pit inside each and every one of them. I then had to sit for another hour carefully cutting the flesh of the fruit away from the pit. This was not an easy task...the nectarines were so small and slippery that I nearly cut a finger off several times. So after about 2 and 1/2 hours I was finally ready to make my pie...

I went to my fridge to get a pillsbury pie crust out, but I could not find any! I didn't realize I had forgotten to take it out of the freezer to thaw! Because I am impatient I thought it would be alright to defrost the pie crust in the microwave...WRONG! Never do this! I microwaved the pie crust on defrost mode for about 30 seconds and when I took it out it had turned to liquid. Blonde Moment! The box clearly states that you should not microwave the pie crusts! Needless to say I had to throw away that crust. Luckily Pillsbury crusts come in a package of two. I let the crust sit out for about an hour and then finally I was ready to assemble my pie. Here is the recipe I made up!

Nectarine Pie

Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 lb nectarines- about 8 large nectarines (peaches also work)

1 Pillsbury pie crust (our make your own)

Cut a small X on the bottom of each nectarine and put in boiling water for 20-30 seconds. Allow to cool and the peel should easily slip off. Cut the nectarines into small chunks and place in a large bowl. Mix in all of the ingredients, stirring gently.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

On a tin foil lined cookie sheet place the unrolled pillsbury pie crust. Add the nectarine mixture to the center of the crust leaving about 1 1/2 to 2 inches around the sides. Fold the crust onto the nectarine mixture being careful not to press down too hard.

Spray canola oil or brush butter onto the visible crust so it will brown.

Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes or until crust is golden brown in color and nectarine mixture is not runny.

Enjoy!

The pie turned out amazing. Fresh nectarines are the best. I do not want to discourage anyone from making this pie because of my story. Remember that I had very unusual sized nectarines and I can assure you it will not take you 3 hours to make! I would say the prep time is about 30 minutes at most...you have to wait for the water to boil.

Happy Cooking!

775XN8XCWCRZ