All About Apples

September is the start of apple picking season in New England.  Apple picking is a great way to spend your afternoon with families and kids.  They can see where the apples grow and look at all of the different kinds.

It’s not only fun to pick the apples, but they are good for you too!  Apples are a great, low calorie fruit with no saturated fat or cholesterol. They are also filled with great vitamins such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins and minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus which make you healthy and strong.  It’s no wonder why they say an apple a day keeps the doctors away! 

There are many different types of apples that grow in the New England area that are great for apples, sauces and other snacks. 
C.N. Smith Farm in East Bridgewater has a great list of apple varieties, harvest dates and uses.  You can check it out here.

Here are some yummy treats you can make with apples:

 

Apple Cider

Nothing says fall like enjoying a nice cup of apple cider.  This cozy beverage can either be served hot or cold.  Many apple orchards and stores sell apple cider, but if you are looking for a nice drink to make with your kids and want your house to smell delicious, you can make it at home. For a recipe, click here!

Apple Pie

After a nice big dinner, apple pie is the best dessert to serve in the fall and a great way to use all of the apples you picked!  Your kids can help you mix the ingredients together as a great introduction to cooking in the kitchen.

Suggestion- Serve hot with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream! For a recipe, click here!

Apple Sauce

A delicious snack or even a healthy baking substitute for oil, this apple sauce is supper easy and everyone will love it!  All you need is some apples, cinnamon, a Crockpot and mason jars to store. For a recipe, click here!

Caramel Apples

This fall treat is often seen at fairs and carnivals, but you can also make it at home.  With this mini caramel apples recipe, you can serve them at fall parties or gatherings and kids will be coming back for more. For a recipe, click here!

Apple Chips

This crispy and crunchy snack is super easy to make and a healthier alternative to potato chips. Just thinly slice your apples, pour on some cinnamon and bake them in the oven for about two hours.  These are great to put in your kids lunchbox or an after-school snack. These chips are so good that you might want to make a batch for yourself too! For a recipe, click here!

Apples and Peanut ButterIf you aren’t in the mood for baking, kids will love their apples with peanut butter.  You can even make these cute little sandwiches and add in some granola or raisins.

Here are some great orchards to visit in the Southeastern Mass area to visit with your family this fall:

• ·         C.N Smith Farm Inc- East Bridgewater, MA
• ·         Fairmount Fruit Farm- Franklin, MA
• ·         Downse Orchard- Sherborn, MA
• ·         Wijcik Farm- Blackstone, MA
• ·         Belkin Family Lookout Farm-Natick, MA

Written by Stephanie Starbard- PR and Communications Intern

An Apple a Day!

We recently started our Cooking With Kids series! We tested out different spreads and toppings such as yogurt and caramel to see what you liked best, and even made apple, cheese and chicken paninis.
We asked you how you eat your apples, and this is what you had to say!

• Add apples to your coleslaw to give it a tastey crunch!
• Make homemade applesauce, it's easy and delicious.
• Slice apples and spread either almond butter or peanut butter on top.
• Dice up an apple and add it to tuna salad, you can add cranberries too!
• Dice up an apple and add it to your holiday stuffing.
• Bake an apple pie.
• Make caramel or candy apples.
• Slice up an apple and drizzle honey on top for an easy snack.
• Make a grilled cheese and apple sandwhich.
• Make some apple pancakes for breakfast!
• Add apples to any salad.
• Make apple popcorn balls.
• Brew some mulled apple cider.
• Bake your apples and put icecream on top!
• Bake some spiced apple bread.
• Make a peanut butter and sliced apple sandwich.
• Make an apple gravy for a pork dinner.

Some reasons why we should eat apples

• They make for a quick, easy, and portable snack!
• They are high in fiber and low in calories.
• Apples are rich in antioxidants.
• Apples are known to be "brain food".
• They are easy to cook and bake with.
• They help fight against certain cancers.
• Apples are a good source of boron, which helps bone growth and density.
• Let's just say an apple a day really can keep the doctor away!

Some great places to go apple picking!

• Tougas Family Farm, in Northboro MA
• Honey Pot Hill Orchard, in Stow MA
• C.N Smith Farm, in East Bridgewater MA
• Red Apple Farm, in Phillipston MA
• Russell Orchards, in Ipswich MA
• Cider Hill Farm, in Amesbury MA
• Highland Farm Orchard, in Holliston MA
• Marino Lookout Farm, in Natick MA

Don's miss the next event of our series, Canning with Rosa. Join us and learn how to can and preserve fresh ingredients on Tuesday, October 23. Click here to check out Cooking with Kids!