Streusel Topping:

½ Cup Cold Salted Butter

½ Cup Light Brown Sugar

¾ Cup Flour

Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix together until coarse crumbs are formed. Reserve in refrigerator until the filling is cooked.

Apple Filling:

2 Pounds Apples (any variety)

½ Cup Water

4 oz. Hatch Chilies (about 2 large)

½ Cup Sugar

½ Teaspoon Lime Juice

2 Tablespoons Cornstarch + 2 Tablespoons Water

1 large Hatch Chili for topping cut into thin slices (optional)

Place 2 of the hatch chilies over an open flame. Allow the skin to turn black, turning to make sure all sides are completely cooked. Remove from the flame and cool. Remove all the blackened skin and stem. Open up the chilies and scrape away the seeds. Discard seeds. Mince thoroughly until it almost looks like a paste.

Peel and core the apples. Chop into large pieces about 1/2 inch thick. There is no need to be precise.

Place the apples into a large saucepan. Add the sugar, lime juice and water. Bring to a light boil. Once the apples start to appear soft and release some juice, try the apples. You are looking for apples that are still firm, but have lost some of their crunch.

How is the sweetness? At this point, add more sugar, ¼ cup at a time until desired sweetness is achieved. Keep in mind that the streusel topping will add sweetness to the finished dessert.

Taste your chilies. Are they hot or mild? This will be your guide to how many chilies you add. Add the paste to your simmering apples one tablespoon at a time until you achieve your desired heat level.

Stir together the cornstarch and water until the mixture is smooth. Add to the simmering apples. Stir until the mixture thickens.

Pour the apple mixture into a 10 inch diameter cast iron pan. Distribute the streusel topping evenly over the apple mixture.

Place into a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven until the streusel topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. This will take about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your oven, altitude and climate.

Top with freshly sliced hatch chilies. (optional)

Serve with your favorite ice cream or whipped topping.