I grew up in Arizona. The land of two seasons, summer (aka winter) and Oh dear lord make it stop! What did I do to deserve this???? (aka summer) It wasn’t until I moved to upstate New York for college that I fully appreciated autumn and all the treats that come along with the season. After spending 15 winters on the east coast, autumn and its treats have lost a bit of their luster. I know what’s coming next. However, my one passion that has remained no matter how many horrific winters I see, is my undying love for fresh orchard apples.
We’ve all heard the expression, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but let’s discuss why that is and some apple pros and cons.
The big glaring con is the sugar content. Yes, these puppies are high is sugar. But just as with all fruit, moderation is key. Maybe don’t eat the entire basket in one sitting.
The pros outweigh the con. Apples are high in dietary fiber (keeps your pipes flowing) and antioxidants which help you fight disease. There are hundreds of articles detailing the health benefits of apples. Here is a fun one from Reader’s Digest. https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/nutrition/15-health-benefits-of-eating-apples/
Additionally, applesauce can be used as a sugar substitute in baking. It adds sweetness and moisture. Keep that in mind when you are making desserts this holiday season.
Apples are a phenomenal snack (sprinkle a little lemon juice on sliced apples to keep them from turning brown) and are also an amazing ingredient in sweet and savory dishes. Pork and apples are a classic combination. Try using some apple cider vinegar in your sauce to really enhance the apple flavor and add acidity.
I’m lucky. I’ve got a guy. Specifically my mother-in-law, who lives next to an orchard and keeps my supply stocked. But, for those of us who don’t “have a guy” or live in an apple waste land, here is what you can look for in stores to quench your autumnal craving that isn’t your typical Red Delicious or Granny Smith (though I do love a good Granny Smith).
Honeycrisps
My mom, Toni, was consulting for a newspaper in the Pacific Northwest about 12 years ago and stumbled across what they said were “the world’s best apples.” They were NOT exaggerating. She proceeded to go straight to the source and sent me a crate of these crunchy, tart, sweet, delicious morsels. I did not follow my own advice as posted above, and ate the entire thing over the course of (I’m embarrassed to say) two days. For several years following, I wasn’t able to find them on the east coast. They were my unicorn. Finally, we started seeing them for an extremely short period in October. I’d buy out the store. I felt like Kramer with his Mackinaw Peaches. Recently, our orchards on the east coast have started growing them and it has been life changing. If you haven’t tried a Honeycrisp, go out immediately and get as many as you can, while you still can!
Fuji
Fujis are crisp, juicy, sweet and slightly tart. Similar to Honeycrisps, but slightly lesser in my opinion. They are smaller in size than your typical Honeycrisp, so great for kiddies and portion control. They typically grow anywhere apples are grown (Washington, New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania) so try to find ones that come from an orchard closest to you.
Cripps Pink (Pink Lady)
These used to be my go to apple. Sweet, crisp, and slightly pink skins lead to a super satisfying crunch and eating experience. A hybrid apple developed in Australia, these guys have been staples in US supermarkets since the 90s. They are relatively easy to find, and again, grown in most apple growing states, so try to find one from close to home.
Golden Delicious
I’ll be honest, these aren’t my favorite for snacking, but a lot of people ask which apple is best for baking. These are the answer. They are sweet and mild, if not slightly mealy. They are the typical apple pie apple and extremely accessible. Other apples to bake with are gala (which hold their shape under heat a bit better, so I would recommend them for tarts and crostatas).
Happy snacking!
Everything is Possible with a Full Belly.