Here it is October already and I happened to discover that this is National Apple Month. Who knew? Okay, I am sure the fine apple growers and those in the apple industry knew, but this was news to me.
It seems as though every single day, week and month has a special food designation of some sort. I’ve seen so many random “National Day of _________” days, days like “National Men Make Dinner Day” (can we make this at least a week, if not a month?), this year to be celebrated on Thursday, November 3, to “National Oatmeal Day," coming later this month.
But National Apple Month struck a chord with me for a couple reasons. First, R is going with his class to a local apple orchard tomorrow, so we’ve been talking about apple picking a lot. Our family loves apple picking, we try to go each year and have a trip scheduled this Saturday with some friends. Apple picking is a simple, straightforward and most important, fun way to show your children where food originates. You can look up where to find a local apple orchard on www.localharvest.org.
Second, apples are one of the most ubiquitous fruits, and almost anyone, anywhere can have access to them. Even most convenience and small grocers carry apples as inventory, they are not difficult to find, whether in the country or in the heart of a big city.
Third, they are so versatile, easy to use in both sweet and savory applications. Apples work great in desserts, and in snacks like easy homemade applesauce and apples nachos, but they also taste delicious in dishes with pork and sauerkraut. Apple cider makes a great base for a salad dressing, and apple cider vinegar is useful in so many different ways.
And last but not least, you know what they say about an apple a day! Apples are healthful, high in fiber and full of antioxidants and phytonutrients.
So this month I am going to feature at least one apple recipe a week. If you can’t wait until later this week for the first recipe, check out my recent post on Apple Granola or simple baked apples.
Happy October and National Apple Month-
SPC
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