It is Apple time

It’s Apple Time

 

It’s Apple Time

Is there anything better than biting into a crisp fresh apple on a fall day? Ok, maybe a baked apple with a lot of cinnamon and brown sugar. Or a pie.
And making some apple butter or apple pie filling that you can can and keep for the spring and 4th of July. How fun would it be to say you made it all from scratch!
Apples have been ready for a few weeks now, but there’s still plenty to be had, so grab a bushel and a peck and go get some apples.

You Pick Time

There are a number of orchards where you can pick your own apples. Pick Your Own is a website that lists orchards and farms where you can pick what’s in season, and they’re arranged by county. Click here to see what is available in Northern California. (Then click on the county)
The farms and orchards usually have spots where you could have a picnic lunch and turn the event into a day trip with friends and family. If they don’t, bring a good sized blanket and get comfortable, or do some research to find a local park.
After you bring home the apples, you’ll want to wash them. If you can’t get to processing them right away, the best way to store them is in a cool and dry place. Late ripening varieties will store longer than early ripening.
Only store fruit that is perfect. If there are bruises, put them aside and eat them first.
And avoid storing the apples near potatoes or onions as they’ll take on the flavors.

Recipes

So what to do with them? Well, you could eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away. Or you can think outside the basket and find recipes and other ideas like making fruit leather, apple muffins, or apple salads.
Here’s a list of websites with apple recipes for inspiration:

• Washington Apples recipes
• Healthy Fall Apple Recipes on Foodnetwork
• Betty Crocker’s apple recipes
• Best Apple Recipes on Cooking Light

Health Benefits

So are apples healthy? YES!
One medium sized apple is a great source of soluble fiber (4g) for a modest amount of calories (95). An apple is full of antioxidants and pectin which can ease constipation and its opposite. Apples help prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and inhibit inflammation.
So go organic or not? The Mayo clinic recommends that it’s better if you eat the fresh fruits and vegetables, and that you should eat them in season, and wash the produce thoroughly.
It’s really up to you, and your budget.
Are you buying a bushel of apples this weekend? What will you make with them?