Apples, Apples, Apples

I am a third generation Washington State native. We are famous for our apples and they have been always a staple around our house. From apple slices for snacking, through fruit salad and apple cider, and all the way to apple pie, apples are one of the most versatile fruits.

Things have changed considerably since I was a child. We had an apple machine in my school. At that time, no Coke or Pepsi machines were allowed so we were happy to be able to buy a juicy apple.

Apples are always best when they are as fresh as possible. By spring, most of the apples in my childhood tasted past their prime. The only exception to this are Fuji apples which actually improve in flavor in long term storage.

Store apples in a cool dry place. Make sure to store only fruit in good condition with no bruises or holes. If you individually wrap each apple in waxed paper, they will last far into the winter.

Apples come in many varieties, including old heirloom trees and new hybrid commercial orchardist trees. If you have access to your own apple trees be sure to take advantage of the harvest to eat fresh, make applesauce or freeze slices for winter pies.

We'll discuss the best varieties of apples for different purposes and then look at some recipes for getting the most from the apples you have.

Eating Apples: Best for eating fresh, uncooked, out of hand, in slices or in salads

• Gala - These are my personal favorite
• Pippins
• Empire
• Red Delicious - very sweet and a favorite of children. Good when near harvest time. They get mealy after long storage.
• Golden Delicious
• Granny Smith
• Fuji
• Braeburn

Applesauce Apples: These are apples that break down easily when cooked.

• Gravenstein - These are what I consider the very best applesauce apple. They are not easy to find in some areas and need to be cooked up soon after harvest. These are not good keepers.
• Granny Smith
• Braeburn
• Winesap
• McIntosh
• Northern Spy

Baking Apples: a good baking apple is one that will still hold it's shape after it is baked

• Ida Red
• Fuji
• Gala
• Braeburn
• Cortlands
• Rome Beauties
• Jonathans
• Baldwins

Any apple good for baking will make an excellent pie or crisp.

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Recipes:

Quick Baked Apples

Ingredients

Take an apple, wash then carefully remove the core with an apple corer or thin knife. Leave the peel on.

Directions

Put in a microwave safe bowl or cup. Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes at high heat. Top with milk, cream or ice cream. Sweeten to taste.

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Fancy Baked Apples

If you are cooking for more than one or two, this is a great recipe for baked apples.

Prepare one apple for each person. Wash then carefully remove the core with an apple corer or thin knife.

(enough for 4 apples)

Ingredients

• Mix 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 Tbs. Butter

Directions

Mix the butter and brown sugar until well mixed. Add raisins and nuts and mix in.

Put apples in a baking dish then take the mixture and stuff into the core area of the apples.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 - 45 minutes or until tender when poked with a fork. Great served with milk, cream or ice cream. Serve warm for best flavor.

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Here are some salad recipes sent in by a reader:

Apple Waldorf Salad

Makes 4 servings

Ready in: 20 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice and salt. Stir in the apples, celery, walnuts and raisins. Chill until ready to serve.

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Chicken Fruit and Pasta Salad

Makes 10 to 12 servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked pasta
• 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat
• 5 stalks celery, diced
• 2 large apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 1 Tablespoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper

Directions

Chill pasta and chicken thoroughly. Mix chicken, celery, apples, grapes and pasta in large bowl. Mix together the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, salt and pepper. Combine mayonnaise and chicken mixtures and toss. Store in the refrigerator.

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Here is another great recipe from Allrecipes.com, which sounds absolutely delicious. http://www.allrecipes.com

Darra's Famous Tuna Waldorf Salad Sandwich Filling

Makes 4 servings

Ready in: 20 Minutes

Tired of boring tuna salad? You'll love this one!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp. prepared Dijon-style mustard
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• 1/4 tsp. curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (6-oz.) can oil-packed tuna
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1 tsp. sweet pickle relish
• 4 large croissants
• 4 leaves lettuce
• 4 slices Swiss cheese

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, curry powder, salt and pepper. Add tuna, shallot, apple, walnuts, celery and pickle relish and toss until all ingredients are coated with dressing.

Lightly toast the croissants. Split in half, place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of the croissant and fill with tuna salad. Top with a slice of Swiss cheese and the top half of the croissant. Serve with a dill pickle and potato chips. Bon appetit!