SC - Blackberry/Apple Pie

[ChannonM at aol.com]

Since I don''t know which Celts you are talking about and what time, I'll 
assume (watch it there) that they are Irish, Scottish or in that area and 
most likely early period (pre 12 C).

I have found  success with a "crumble" type recipe utilizing honey instead of 
sugar (if you are doing Celtic, sugar was not avail  before 12C (I know 
everyone will have a specific/different date). 

Crumble  or fruit crisp recipes use oats, nuts (hazelnuts or filberts were 
avail to the Celts ) a sweetener, butter and fruit. 

Spices that were found in burial sites such as the Osberg Ship's burial do 
not to my knowledge contain what we would typically call "pie spices" ie 
cinnamon, nutmeg so on those you can infer contact with Vikings who may have 
come across them . According to Anne Wilson's - Food and Drink in Britain, 
the spice supply was interuppted in the 5th century and revived again in the 
late 8th.  Others out there may have more detail on that.

Here is an adaption of a recipe that originally used sugar,  instead of 
honey. Honey can be substituted for sugar at 1cup honey:1.25 sugar (white) or 
 .8 of a cup to 1 cup sugar.

Combine 5 cups fruit (if necessary peel, core & chop/slice) with 3 Tblsp honey
Place in an oven proof dish
Separately combine,
1/2 cup regular rolled oats
1/4 cup flour ( I used 1/8 all purpose + 1/8 whole wheat)
1/2 cup honey 
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, ginger or cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped nuts (toasting them lightly in a 400degree oven brings out 
their flavour)

Cut in 1/4 cup butter
Sprinkle topping over filling or what may be a more period manner- mix the 
whole thing together as a sweet thick pottage- sounds good with some thick 
cream poured over after cooking.
 Bake in 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or till fruit is tender.

Hope it helps.

Hauviette

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