Fall Ingredient Essentials: Apples

We’ve all heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The truth is, an apple a day does a lot more than that. Apples are home to a slew of antioxidants and vitamins including vitamin C,  and boost your immune system with every crisp, bright and crunchy bite. Their wealth of fiber helps keep you full longer. Pectin, a soluble fiber abundant in apples, has also been shown to lower cholesterol. At 70 calories per medium sized fruit, apples keep you healthy from the inside out!

How do I pick the best apples?

September is the start of apple season, when apple pies and fresh apple cider abounds. When choosing your own apples, first inspect the skin. Ensure there are no bruises, cuts, or sunken areas. You may notice scalds, light brown spots on the skin, which are a result of the apple receiving too much sun in one spot while it was growing. Scalds don’t affect the taste or quality of the fruit, it is purely cosmetic, so for your pies and ciders, these are perfectly acceptable. Ripe apples should be firm, have a good weight to them, and smell bright and fresh. If available, choose apples that still have their stems as they keep fresh longer.

Going out on an adventure to pick your own apples? First, call your local apple orchard and find out when the apples will be ready for picking. Pick the apples that are on the outside of the tree as those ripen first. To pick an apple right off the tree, roll the apple towards the branch and gently twist. If the apple drops, it is ready to go!

What can I make with apples?

Of course, the first thing you may think of is apple pie, apple cider and apple sauce, but apples are very versatile. Apples are wonderful in savory dishes, pairing well with chicken, pork and smokey chiles. Sweet dishes include pies, cakes, breads, crumbles, puddings, and custards. Baked, boiled, braised, roasted, grilled, the possibilities are truly endless.

Preparation involves a good scrub with a vegetable brush. Then slice and chop as desired. To easily remove seeds without the aid of a corer, slice apple lengthwise into 4 quarters. Then slice into each quarter to remove the small area of core and repeat with remaining quarters.

Storage? If you aren’t using your apples within a week, store in a cool, dark place such as a cold cellar. Apples will also store well in the refrigerator crisper and keep fresh for about 10 days.

Next up, three delicious recipes to fall for: Apple Enchiladas, Chile Pork Medallions with Smokey Apple Dressing, and Spiced Apple Quinoa Bread…

Apple Enchiladas 

• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 3 cups diced apple, skin and core removed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon corn starch 
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 flour tortillas
• 2 tablespoons dulce de leche

Get the full recipe. 

Chile Pork Medallions with Smokey Apple Dressing 

• 2 teaspoons ancho chile
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 apples, peeled, cored and cubed
• 2 pork medallions
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Get the full recipe. 

Spiced Apple Quinoa Bread 

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup quinoa, dry
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 6 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup apple sauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Get the full recipe.