Roasted Nectarines with Vanilla & Cardamom

I saw the link to this recipe on the sidebar of a friend's blog, and knew I had to make it very soon!  For two reasons: it looked delicious, and nectarine season is just about over.  So I whipped these up the other night, and they exceeded my expectations!  The juices almost turn caramel-y, and the flavors of fruit, cardamom and vanilla mixed with the sweet ice cream is to die for.

This is so easy, too.  If you love nectarines and cardamom and vanilla, make this!  Today is the last day of summer; this recipe is appropriate because the flavors taste like a blend of summer and fall.

Roasted Nectarines with Vanilla & Cardamom
adapted from Simply Scratch
easily cut in half

4 Ripe Nectarines
1/4 cup Vanilla Sugar* {can be substituted with regular sugar or honey}
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cardamom
1/8 teaspoon Fresh Nutmeg, grated
1/4 cup Orange Juice
3/4 teaspoon Real Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon Butter
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Cut the nectarines in half like you would an avocado, starting at the stem and circle around. Remove the pits and any remaining stem, discard and then add place the nectarines, cut side up, in an oven-safe dish.

2.  Combine the vanilla sugar, cardamom and nutmeg in a small bowl, set aside.  Add the 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla to the orange juice and stir.  Pour the vanilla orange juice over top of the halved nectarines.  Sprinkle with the cardamom sugar.

3.  Place the nectarines into your preheated oven and roast for 10 minutes.  Remove and dot each nectarine with a little piece of butter. Return the nectarines back to the oven and roast for 10 more minutes.  Remove and let cool for a few minutes and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle a little (or a lot) of the glaze over top.

*Note- to make vanilla sugar, combine new or used vanilla beans with white sugar; shake, and store in an airtight container.  I've had mine going for a few years.

Vanilla Sugar

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