Mince Fruit for Pie (Sans Meat)

By mid-winter, when fruit here in the north is long past fresh-picked, this pie satisfies my fruit cravings. The recipe allows for variations depending on what's in the pantry.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 1 pie

Ingredients

• 2  cortland apples
• 1⁄4 cup  packed chopped dried cherries or 1⁄4 cup  dried apricot
• 1⁄4 cup  packed chopped dried cranberries or 1⁄4 cup  dried apricot
• 1⁄2 cup  packed chopped dates or 1⁄2 cup raisins or 1⁄2 cup prune
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2  tablespoons margarine, melted
• 2  tablespoons raw sugar
• 3  tablespoons  apricot jam or 3  tablespoons orange marmalade
•  ready-made pie crust

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Place dried fruit and water in small saucepan. Bring to boil and remove from heat. Let stand 15 minutes.
3. Peel, core and dice apples into 1/4" bits.
4. Combine apples, dried fruit plus remaining water, sugar, margarine and jam until all fruit is coated evenly.
5. Pour into pie crust.
6. Bake 10 minutes on lower oven rack.
7. Reduce heat to 350F and bake 15-20 mins., until crust is golden brown.
8. Let cool 30 minutes before slicing.