FRESH TAKES ON CLASSIC FRUIT DESSERTS FOR NOW

Why wait until summer to enjoy the sweet and comforting flavors of fresh fruit desserts? Right now, itís warm and sunny in Chile, where Chilean farmers are harvesting premium-quality peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, grapes and other fruit, and shipping them our way. With all those juicy, delicious Chilean fruits in the market and a few time-saving recipes in hand, you can create classic desserts anytime you like.

Comforting desserts -- warm with the aroma of sweet, tender fruit -- are ideal in the winter. Try, for example, Peaches Foster Shortcake, which takes its inspiration from the familiar New Orleans specialty made with bananas. In this new take on the classic, fresh blueberries mingle with rum-spiked peaches, all served over warm biscuits.

Baked Apple-Pear Crumble combines favorite winter flavors in one warm and easy dish. Topping a baked apple-pear combo is the crunch of brown sugar and walnuts. And if you adore apples and pears, also try Double Cranberry Poached Pears and Apples. This colorful dessert looks so elegant, no one would guess that itís so simple to make!

For a true taste of summer in the depths of winter, make a luscious Blueberry-Nectarine Cobbler. Chilean berries and tree fruit are excellent this time of year, and a cobbler featuring blueberries and nectarines is a very sweet way to enjoy them.

Not only are fresh fruit desserts extra delicious in the winter, they also offer a way to enjoy a serving of vitamin- and fiber-packed fresh fruit. There was a time, not so long ago, that fresh fruit was much less available through the winter, which may be a reason Americans eat less than half the amount of fruit recommended by the U.S. Department of Agricultureís MyPyramid guidelines.

Today, with Chilean fruit readily available, we can indulge our desire for fresh fruit all winter and into the spring. Chile has ideal conditions for growing our favorite fruits from November through May. Most of Chileís abundant orchards are found in the countryís lush fertile valleys. Once harvested, the fruit must pass on-site USDA inspection before being packed and shipped to North American markets. For more recipes and information on Chilean fruit, visit www.cffausa.org.