Crumble

A crumble is an incredibly versatile dish that comes in both sweet and savory variations, although the sweet version is undoubtedly more popular. For the sweet crumble, you typically begin with stewed fruit, topped with a crumbly mixture made from fat, flour, and sugar. Conversely, the savory version features a filling of meat, vegetables, and sauce, with cheese replacing sugar in the topping. Both types are baked until the topping becomes delightfully crisp. Sweet crumbles are often enjoyed with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of cream, or a drizzle of custard, while savory crumbles pair nicely with a side of vegetables.

When it comes to fruit choices for sweet crumbles, apples, blackberries, peaches, rhubarb, gooseberries, and plums are all favorites, and they can even be mixed together for a unique twist. You can also enhance the crumble topping by adding rolled oats, ground almonds, nuts, or even a touch of sour cream for extra flavor. A sprinkle of brown sugar on top before baking creates a lovely caramelized finish.

Crumbles have an interesting history. They became particularly popular in Britain during World War II as a budget-friendly alternative to pies. During the rationing period, when pastry ingredients were hard to come by, the crumble was a clever way to use less flour, fat, and sugar. Sometimes, breadcrumbs or oatmeal were added to the mix to stretch the ingredients even further. The dish’s straightforward preparation made it a hit, and it has remained a beloved comfort food ever since.