Sweet summer fruits, deliciously, safely cooked

Six delicious baked fruit desserts to keep us happy and safe from cyclospora.

DELICIOUS SUMMER FRUIT IS IN FULL SWING RIGHT NOW. Unfortunately, so is a health alert advising us to cook our fruit as a safety precaution. Cyclospora, the dastardly parasite wreaking digestive havoc across the country, is most effectively killed by cooking fruits and veggies to 158ºF. Well, these desserts bake at 350ºF or higher. Done.

Peach Cobbler

When we heard about cooking fruit for safety, this is the first thing Marion thought of. The scrumptious rustic treat pictured above is easy to make and comes with its own fascinating history. You can find the recipe and story here.

Apple and Dried Apricot Galette

Okay, apples aren’t strictly a summer fruit, but no need to save this yummy dessert for fall. We think of galettes as a pie’s less fussy cousin—much easier to make and beautifully handmade looking. Here’s the recipe.

Blueberry Thyme Scones

Blueberries are an absolute fave in our household, often featured with our breakfast cereal. These scones make the most of them. You’ll find the recipe—and some great tricks for upping your scone game—right here.

Peach Blueberry Crisp

This lovely dessert features both peaches and blueberries, tasting like summer. What makes it a crisp? The topping, which is primarily rolled oats and butter—so nutty and crunchy. You’ll find the recipe here.

Peach Blueberry Galette

The peach and blueberry duo shines again in this wonderfully rustic treat. How easy is it? Terry, who never bakes (well, almost never) did it, even making the crust from scratch. Find the recipe here.

Mixed Berries Olive Oil Cake

Blackberries and raspberries can be especially challenging to clean and safely eat, with all their tiny crevices. Baking them solves that. And olive oil makes it lighter and a little less sinful. Find the recipe here.

And finally, a bit more about avoiding cyclosporiasis. At this writing, the source of the cyclospora parasite causing this current outbreak isn’t known. Public health officials in Michigan, the state hit hardest, believe lettuce and salad greens are largely to blame. Whatever the cause turns out to be, the CDC offers advice to help avoid getting this most annoying ailment on their website.