Farmers' Market Desserts
Starred Review. Locavores and discriminating dessert lovers are sure to appreciate the latest from author and food-healthcare consultant Schact (Without Reservations), a collection of seasonal update on dessert classics. Imaginative yet attainable riffs include a Tarte Tatin that emphasizes plums in lieu of apples, a Strawberries & Cream Cake Roll that reimagines Strawberry Shortcake, an impressive, mouthwatering Baked Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon Caramel, and a Persimmon Swirl Cheesecake in a Gingersnap Crust. Expected fare such as peach pie and Key Lime Bars are included, but prove the exception to the rule. Schacht prefers combining complementary fruits (a black- and blueberry buckle, apple-pear crisps, a Nectarine-Blueberry Cobbler that gets an added jolt from cherry concentrate) rather than emphasizing a central ingredient, creating new and more intense flavors. Schacht includes a helpful chart for identifying fruits, vegetables, local honey, and other produce at their best, as well as tips on the heritage of various breeds of citrus, ensuring dishes realize their full potential.