Apple Pear Compote

10 Cortland apples
6 ripe pears
¼ cup water
1 package unsweetened frozen strawberries
3 tbsp. sugar to taste, (optional)
1 tsp. lime juice plus ¼ tsp. Lime peel

Peel and dice apples and pears; combine with water in a 4-quart saucepan. Cook over low flame until mixture is soft, about 35 to 45 minutes. Ten minutes before it is done, add strawberries, sugar if desired, and lime juice and peel.

Serve warm or cool.

USE: 4-quart saucepan
YIELDS: 10 to 12 servings