It's Apple Time!

Although you can get apples year-round at the supermarket, the quality and variety of apples is best in Autumn and they are best fresh from the farm or farmers market. Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, are high in fiber, and have no fat, cholesterol, or sodium.

One of the most enjoyable things about autumn is going to pick-your-own apples. And, since many pick-your-own farms are organic, you can pick your apples without worrying about pesticides.

While not everybody is lucky enough to live near pick your own farms or ranches, you can check Pick Your Own or search Local Harvest to see if there is one near you. If not, there are also plenty of apple festivals going on across the United States and Canada, check out Pick Your Own’s Festival Page to find one near you.

There are many apple varieties available from September through October, and in warmer climates, like California, even through December. While there are plenty of apple varieties to choose from, you want to pick the type of apple that best suits your need. What do you want to use the apple for: fresh eating, baking that perfect apple pie, making apple cider, cooking or storing?

Early varieties include the classic Red Delicious, which are striped to solid and red, and have a sweet taste; and the Jonagold, a cross between a Jonathan and a Golden Delicious, and are bright red and can be sweet or slightly tart.

Later varieties include Rome, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Jonathan. Romes are a deep red and are slightly sweet. Fuji’s range in color from gold to red and often have red striping, and are great for snacking. Granny Smith apples are green, tart apples that are perfect for baking. Jonathans have light red stripes over deep red or yellow and are slightly tart.

Whether you pick-your-own or buy them at the farmers’ market, choose apples that are free of bruises because bruised apples will decay quickly. Select apples that are firm to the touch and have good color.

Store apples in a cool, dark place. They do well placed in a plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator. Store them away from foods that have strong odors because they absorb odors easily.

Some quick and easy serving tips:

For cooking and baking, use apples that will remain flavorful and firm, such as Granny Smith.
For a fat-free substitute for oil, use applesauce when baking cakes, muffins and other moist, cake-like items. Substitute the same amount of applesauce for the oil.
Add apple juice instead of broth to your favorite stuffing recipe.
For a quick and easy simmered Fall punch, combine 2 cups apple juice, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 or 3 cloves. Simmer on the stove for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove cloves before serving.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Fi T.

6:36AM PDT on Mar 26, 2013

An apple a day keeps doctors away

March 26
send a green star

Terry V.

11:14AM PDT on Sep 13, 2012

HONEYCRISP for me, developed in Minnesota

September 13
send a green star

Jo A.

1:47AM PST on Nov 14, 2011

Thanks for sharing.

November 14
send a green star

Holly L.

7:13PM PST on Nov 12, 2011

I Love apples!

November 12
send a green star

Rosemary G.

3:08PM PDT on Oct 18, 2011

My family live near the best apple orchard & can't wait to get the bushels of apples that we eat raw or make into great apple pies. We get so much good from eating them.