Plum Bruschetta

Plums are in season and I have to admit that I could eat them all day long every day.  They are so sweet and juicy right now and there are so many varieties to choose from.

Besides eating them as a snack or for dessert, I like to come up with ways to eat them where they might be unexpected, like in this appetizer.  Most of us probably have most if not all of these ingredients on hand, or at the very least they are super easy to find right now in both stores and at farmer’s markets.  If you don’t have white balsamic vinegar, any light or white vinegar will do: champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar, etc.  White balsamic is a bit sweeter though than the other vinegars, but since plums are so sweet right now, it’s an easy swap.  If you don’t have balsamic or have never heard of it, I highly recommend getting some to try.  Not only can you swap it out for other light vinegars, but you can also drizzle it on salad as a dressing and its not quite as “vinegary” as some of the other kinds, meaning it does have a bit of sweetness to it and it’s not as bitter or stringent.

These appetizers are also a great way to use up an old baguette that is starting to get a bit stale, although you can buy premade crostini in almost any grocery store.  If you don’t have crostini or an old baguette, you could always use crackers instead.  Another option is to serve it as a “salsa” and let people spoon it onto the crackers or bread themselves (obviously you would omit the cream cheese and the garlic, but still a fast and easy snack or app.

Enjoy the last of the plums that are going to be out of season soon!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup diced plums, skin on, any variety
• 2 Tablespoons minced red onion
• 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
• roasted garlic cloves ( about 1/2 head, depending on the size)
• 12 slices of baguette
• mint

Directions:

1. Brush both sides of the bread lightly with olive oil and place under broiler till golden on each side ( about 1 min. per side)
2. Cut the top off of a head of garlic and drizzle it with some oil.  Wrap tightly in foil and roast in a 350 oven for 30 minutes till soft.  Remove from oven, unwrap and allow to cool.  Gently squeeze the cloves out when cool enough. Store any extra in a jar with oil in the fridge.
3. spread the garlic on each piece of bread in a thin layer ( like you would spread butter).
4. In a small bowl, combine the plum, onion and balsamic vinegar.  Divide the mixture among the pieces of bread ( if it is not sweet enough because the plums aren’t ripe, add a small drizzle of honey to the mixture).  Sprinkle the top with a bit of chopped mint.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup diced plum
• 1/2 cup diced orange
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/3 cup cream cheese
• 12 slices of toasted baguette
• mint

Directions:

1. Brush each side of the baguette with a light coating of oil and place under the broiler till golden, about 1 minute per side.
2. in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and orange zest, then spread a thin layer on each piece of the cooled baguette.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the plums and oranges.  Divide the mixture evenly among the pieces of bread ( you can add a drizzle of honey if the plums are not sweet enough).
4. sprinkle the top of each with some chopped mint leaves.

Enjoy!