Apples: A slice of Americana
FOOD
THarvest Loaf
he crisp autumn air brings us into a season of not only increasing our layers of clothing and closing our windows, but also a time to alter what we cook and eat to include some warmer menu choices and seasonal fare. One particular family favorite fruit in season right now is the reliable, light, juicy apple. If you feel so inclined, you can spend some time picking your own apples this year. Right now makes a perfect venture because the trees still have lots of fruit and the bees are waning as the weather cools, so you won’t be inundated while you spend a couple of hours in the orchard. Check the local farms for availability. I’ve heard good things about Snipes and Tehrune Farms. Then there is the Styer Orchard, as well.
The vast variety of apples makes it easy to use just the right types for the recipes you’re making. For instance, Granny Smith apples make a great pie, while Macintosh apples are better eaten fresh. They tend to quickly get mushy when cooked. The recipes available are as vast as the apple varieties. You can work them into any segment of a meal, be it sweet or savory.
Years ago, my mother and I concocted a recipe we called harvest loaf. It includes ground turkey, apples and onions. This will be at least the third time I put it in the paper, so if you have it, forgive me. It’s just one of those recipes you can double or triple and freeze a few loaves for days when time is tight, and it’s more interesting than a regular meat loaf.
Store apples in the refrigerator. Every apple type continues to ripen after picking, at room temperature. If you keep the apples out, they will ripen 10 times faster than if they were refrigerated.
Apples lend themselves to healthy snacking. They are portable, fairly neat to eat, and they come loaded with YLWDPLns DnG fiEHr. AOsR, WhH DgH ROG sDyLng WhDW FODLPs an apple a day keeps the doctor away, has merit. Studies show that eating apples regularly each day may decrease your chances of catching the common cold. Then, there’s the indisputable ability of an apple to cleanse your teeth.
Take advantage of this apple season. Go pick ’em, cook with them and freeze some to use in the middle of winter. Have fun! • 2 SRunGs grRunG WurNHy • 3 WR 4 sOLFHs RI Dny ErHDG, FuEHG • 2 DSSOHs RI Dny NLnG, SHHOHG DnG shrHGGHG
in the food processor • 1/2 rHG RnLRn, GRnH OLNH WhH DSSOH • 1 Hgg • 2 WHDsSRRn gDrOLF SRwGHr • 1 WHDsSRRn FLnnDPRn • 2 WDEOHsSRRns ErRwn PusWDrG • 1 WHDsSRRn sDOW • 1/2 WHDsSRRn SHSSHr • 1/2 FuS ErHDGFruPEs, IRr WRSSLng
Mix all of the ingredients until moist and form into two loaves. Place in a sprayed baking dish and sprinkle with ErHDGFruPEs. BDNH IRr 40 PLnuWHs DW 350 GHgrHHs. YRu may also make six individual loaves and bake them for 25 PLnuWHs.
Spiced Applesauce
• 6 WDrW DSSOHs, SHHOHG, FRrHG DnG TuDrWHrHG • 1 WDEOHsSRRn sugDr • 1/2 FLnnDPRn sWLFN • 2 whROH FORYHs • 2 WHDsSRRns OHPRn MuLFH
• 1/2 WHDsSRRn grDWHG OHPRn SHHO
In a saucepan, cook apples, sugar, cinnamon stick, and cloves in two tablespoons of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Let them cook until the apples are tender.
Remove the cloves and cinnamon stick. Beat with a wooden spoon until a chunky sauce forms. Add lemon juice and peel.
Apple Cheese Torte
Crust • 1/2 FuS EuWWHr • 1 FuS flRur • 1/3 FuS sugDr • 1/2 WHDsSRRn YDnLOOD
PrHhHDW RYHn WR 350. &uW EuWWHr LnWR sPDOO SLHFHs. 0Lx all dry ingredients, add vanilla then add butter and mix by SLnFhLng PHWhRG. 7hH GRugh wLOO rHsHPEOH finH FruPEs.
PrHss LnWR sSrDyHG sSrLng IRrP SDn DnG EDNH IRr fiYH minutes. Filling • 1 SRunG FrHDP FhHHsH (, usH OLghW) • 1/2 FuS grDnuODWHG sugDr • 2 ODrgH Hggs, EHDWHn • 2 WHDsSRRn YDnLOOD
Mix all of the ingredients well and pour into cooled crust. Topping • 3 PHGLuP DSSOHs, SHHOHG, FRrHG DnG WhLnOy sOLFHG • 1/4 FuS sugDr • 1/2 WHDsSRRn FLnnDPRn • 1/2 WHDsSRRn YDnLOOD • 1/4 FuS FhRSSHG wDOnuWs
Place apples in a large bowl and add cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. Stir to coat apples. Layer the apples on top of cheese mixture and then sprinkle with walnuts.
BDNH IRr 15 PLnuWHs DW 450 GHgrHHs, WhHn rHGuFH hHDW WR 350 GHgrHHs DnG EDNH 40 PLnuWHs PRrH. LHW LW FRRO, WhHn refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.