“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. I love the fall season for many reasons, and one of them is being able to go to the apple orchard! I love the varieties of apples and tasting several to find just the right one for munching. I like apples that are juicy, crunchy, tart, and just a little bit sweet. There is nothing better than grabbing an apple for a snack at home or taking it along for the ride.
As I reviewed the good qualities of apples on Live Science from the internet, this is what I found: They were labeled as a “miracle food” and a “nutritional powerhouse”.
Apples are high in fiber and vitamin C, but low in calories. They have just a trace of sodium and no fat or cholesterol. Both the skin and the meat of the apple should be eaten to get the maximum benefits. These round, usually red fruits contain something called polyphenois. This is an example of an antioxidant, which is very good for maintaining our health. Apples also have insoluble (doesn’t absorb water) fiber which gives our digestive tract bulk, and helps move our good quickly through our system. In addition, apples contain soluble fiber (pectin), and this helps avoid cholesterol from building up.
I did find one point of caution! Apples are acidic, so if eaten slowly, all day long, it could result in damage to our tooth enamel. So the tip was: Eat apples quickly as a snack, or cut up and chewed with the back teeth. Then rinse mouth with water so the acid and sugars can be washed away.
Whatever way I eat them, when they are fresh and crisp, they are one of my favorite snacks. Of course, apples are used in all kinds of desserts and sauces. For those, it is better to find a “cooking” apple that is softer and able to “mush up” when cooked. Excellent for homemade applesauce, pies and cakes.
The following recipe was shared with me from Sue Zins. When I stopped in to see her for a visit after her husband had passed away, she ended up sending a piece of this pie home with me! She had tried it, and asked if I wanted to have a taste. I have known Sue for many years, having had her children in school, and then enjoying her presence as the main cook in Maple Lawn when my dad became a resident there. I know she “knows her stuff” with cooking delicious food! I usually make two crust apple pies, but this one has a crumb topping, giving it a different taste.
Dutch Apple Pie
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup oatmeal
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
2/3 cups sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/4 cup cold water
1 Tbsp. clear vanilla
3 cups sliced apples
1 unbaked pie crust
Combine first 3 ingredients ( flour, brown sugar, oatmeal) together. Cut in the butter or margarine and set aside. This is for the topping.
Put the white sugar, cornstarch, and cold water into a saucepan. Bring this to a boil and cook until thick.
Add vanilla and stir.
Stir in sliced apples and put into an unbaked pie crust.
Scatter set aside topping on top of apple filling.
Bake at 425 degrees in oven for 20 minutes, then turn down the oven to 350 and continue to bake for 40 minutes.
Why don’t you grab an apple, sit down with a piece of paper, and write out some of your deepest reasons to be thankful! Do remember the every day, sometimes forgotten blessings as you make a list. God bless!
lbeerman68@gmail.com
