Nourish the Budding Lotus

Mele in Cartoccio – Baked Apples

I lucked out at Vitamin Cottage again the other day.  More $1 bags of organic apples…  So I bought two.  I recreated my Raw Apple Sauce recipe and then decided to whip up an old favorite: Mele in Cartoccio.  I first discovered this recipe while I was living in Florence, Italy.  I used to collect the Cucina Naturale magazines and this was just one of the treasures.  Mele in Cartoccio is translated in a few different ways, but basically it means that the apples are wrapped in paper/foil.  They cook in their own “bag” in the oven, steaming themselves to deliciousness….

Hmmm.  Steaming oneself to deliciousness sounds really good right now.  My muscles are sore and could use some TLC.  And this winter weather in the high dessert is definitely drying out my skin.  Time to make some at home remedies for the body.  Salt scrub…skin salves.  More kitchen fun…

[print_this]

Mele in Cartoccio

4-5 apples, peeled and sliced
2 T raisins, soaked in warm water
1/2 t lemon zest
1/2 T grated ginger
1/4 t cinnamon
1 t agave
4 squares of parchment paper

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Soak raisins in warm water until plump, then strain the water out.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl stirring well.

Distribute mixture amongst the 4 squares of parchment and wrap the corners of the parchment together to create a tight bag.

Place the “bags” of apples on a baking sheet or roasting pan and cook in the oven for about 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

Serve the apples in their paper or in a bowl and top with coconut milk ice cream or enjoy plain-jane style.

[/print_this]