Use ANY fruit, such as peaches, apples, apricots, cherries, plums…
1/2 cup butter
3-4 cups fruit and its juices
1-2 tablespoons crystalline candied ginger, if desired
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of sea salt
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1 cup milk
Put the butter in a deep casserole at least 9 inches in diameter, (2 – 3 qt oval casserole works as well) put it in a cold oven, and preheat to 350 degrees. Prepare fruit, slicing if necessary, and put into a bowl. Toss in the ginger, if using. If the fruit is not juicy, sprinkle it with some of the sugar. Set aside.
In a batter bowl whisk together the sugar, baking powder, salt and flour. Add the milk with extract and mix well. Mixture will be thin. When the butter has melted and the oven has reached 350 degrees, pour the batter all at once into the dish, then pour the fruit and juices into the center of the batter. Do not stir. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the batter is done and the top is golden brown. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.