Apples To Applesauce
One of the fall season's best bounties is apples. Young and old alike often have fun picking apples in an orchard during the harvest. Part of the adventure is the drive in the country and the fresh-pressed cider, along with the fresh apple pies, donuts and the crafts many farms have. An added bonus is the hands-on connection you get with nature.
Farms or orchards where you pick your own apples for a fee have sprouted up in many areas. Check your phone book, watch for ads or call your local farmer's association for the one nearest you. Be aware that the farm may have strange hours, so call ahead for hours and directions. And be sure to wear comfortable clothes and take a bucket or basket to put the apples in as you pick them.
If you are fortunate enough to have a neighbor with an apple tree or two, ask them if they would let you pick some of their apples. You could even promise to share. Or if you have no time to pick your own apples, consider a trip to the local farmers' market where they have done all the hard work for you.
After you're done with the outdoors fun of picking, move inside where everyone can get involved in transforming the apples into applesauce.
Here's one applesauce recipe that can't be beat, although you can harvest a bumper crop of variations from cookbooks or the Internet.
o Core and peel 8 apples (a little over 2 pounds) and place them in a medium saucepan.
o Add 1/2 cup of water and cook the apples over medium heat until boiling. Then simmer over low heat until the apples are tender. Stir and add water if needed.
o Using a spoon, beat the apples until they're smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup of sugar and stir until it dissolves. You can add more sugar if needed-some varieties of apples are more acidic and tart than others.
o Finally, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
Your applesauce can be served hot or cold. Recipe makes about six servings.
Quite often it is the simple things that stay in our memories. So this year as fall sets in, why not make some memories with your kids? Go pick some apples and make applesauce.
One of the fall season's best bounties is apples. Young and old alike often have fun picking apples in an orchard during the harvest. Part of the adventure is the drive in the country and the fresh-pressed cider, along with the fresh apple pies, donuts and the crafts many farms have. An added bonus is the hands-on connection you get with nature.
Farms or orchards where you pick your own apples for a fee have sprouted up in many areas. Check your phone book, watch for ads or call your local farmer's association for the one nearest you. Be aware that the farm may have strange hours, so call ahead for hours and directions. And be sure to wear comfortable clothes and take a bucket or basket to put the apples in as you pick them.
If you are fortunate enough to have a neighbor with an apple tree or two, ask them if they would let you pick some of their apples. You could even promise to share. Or if you have no time to pick your own apples, consider a trip to the local farmers' market where they have done all the hard work for you.
After you're done with the outdoors fun of picking, move inside where everyone can get involved in transforming the apples into applesauce.
Here's one applesauce recipe that can't be beat, although you can harvest a bumper crop of variations from cookbooks or the Internet.
o Core and peel 8 apples (a little over 2 pounds) and place them in a medium saucepan.
o Add 1/2 cup of water and cook the apples over medium heat until boiling. Then simmer over low heat until the apples are tender. Stir and add water if needed.
o Using a spoon, beat the apples until they're smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup of sugar and stir until it dissolves. You can add more sugar if needed-some varieties of apples are more acidic and tart than others.
o Finally, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
Your applesauce can be served hot or cold. Recipe makes about six servings.
Quite often it is the simple things that stay in our memories. So this year as fall sets in, why not make some memories with your kids? Go pick some apples and make applesauce.
