Can you remember the fragrance of an apple pie baking in your grandmother’s oven? Do you have memories of cinnamon and nutmeg embracing your home? The smell of fall is upon us and one of the brightest aromas that is cherished is the warm fragrance and sweet smell of apples in the fall. You have probably heard the age old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but this homespun wisdom about apples has proven itself true as a backbone of nutrition. Not only are apples low in calories and high in fiber, but have a lot of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants to reduce cholesterol, prevent cardiovascular disease, strengthen bones, regulate blood pressure, and much more.
John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was famous for his mission of establishing orchards with early settlers in the mid-West. He was a pioneer and had the forethought to establish sustainability of a food source and commerce in the future. The apple has remained one of the most versatile, wholesome foods and the original fast food. According, to usapple.org the 2021 Virginia apple harvest is estimated to be 356.2 million apples, which is about 791 times Virginia Beach’s population. Virginia is the 6th leading producer of apples in the U.S. with the apple harvest beginning in the last week of August and extending through early November. This is a perfect time to take your family and friends to local orchards and purchase a bushel of apples to be used in a variety of ways. Everything from apple butter, applesauce, cider, dumplings, muffins, cakes, pies, and even as a substitute in recipes to reduce added oils and shortenings because the apple creates moisture, volume, and flavor.
According to USDA’s MyPlate, the daily consumption of fruits should be 2 cups for adults. To reach the recommended portion each day, have fun by adding apples in common everyday dishes. Simply add more texture to your chicken salad or tossed salad by adding a cup of chopped apples, try grating apples in your pancake batter or muffins for additional nutrition and flavor, or offer apple slices with cheese as an appetizer. While at the market or orchard, keep in mind to select apples that are firm and free of bruising as this will help them last longer once they are home. In good condition, apples that are brought home can be stored up to six weeks in the refrigerator. When cutting apples for platters or future use, to prevent browning (oxidization), dip your apples or spritz them with lemon juice to prolong their appeal. Keep an eye open though because as the saying goes, “one bad apple can spoil the bunch.”
Before making that batch of apple butter, making applesauce to can, or apple jelly make sure to do your homework and read up on these sources below:
https://extension.psu.edu/troubleshooting-problems-when-canning-applesauce
https://www.virginiaapples.net/
Photo credits: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/preserving-apples/
| Author: Susan Prillaman, Bedford County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences Food, Nutrition & Health |