Apples and Autumn: Visit a Local Orchard and Start Cooking!

Apples and Autumn: For many of us, they’re intertwined. Can’t have one without the other. They mean back-to-school, cool weather, and a return indoors to “cozy in” for the coming winter. Depending where you grew up or live now, you’ve probably been to an orchard to pick apples. Even if you haven’t, you’ve welcomed fall with apple pie or taffy apples. Apples are American.

Travel doesn’t have to be international to be meaningful. Nor do we have to seek out exotic foods. Sometimes, the best memories are made in our own town or region. And with a traditional recipe.

Apples are a big business

Nostalgia aside, apples are an important industry. Consider these facts from the USApple Association:

There are 7,500 producers who, collectively, grow an annual average of 240 million bushels of apples on 322 thousand total acres of land
32 states grow this sturdy fruit
The top 10 states are: Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, and Idaho
After China, the U.S. produces more apples than any other country
1 out of every 4 apples is exported

Orchards are a big business in the United States. Apples wait patiently to be picked, eaten, cooked, and baked...or exported. (Photo credit: Pixabay) — Orchards are a big business in the United States. Apples wait patiently to be picked, eaten, cooked, and baked…or exported. (Photo credit: Pixabay)

Every family has favorite recipes

Everyone looks forward to autumn and their favorite apple recipes. Here are two easy recipes from my collection. I hope you’ll share yours in the comment section!

Mulled Cider: Makes 1 delicious, fragrant gallon

1 gallon of apple cider
1 teaspoon whole allspice
2-6 whole cloves
2-4 cinnamon sticks
1 cup brown sugar

Put everything in a slow cooker (Crock-Pot) and simmer on low for 2-8 hours. The sooner you start, the sooner the house smells heavenly. Holiday scent in a drink!

Apple bread: 1 moist loaf. It’s like a coffee cake you can slice!

Bread:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons milk
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups chopped apples

Topping:
2 Tablespoons flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix the bread ingredients in the order given, then stir in the apples.
Mix topping ingredients together till crumbly.
Pour into a greased loaf pan (I recommend lining the pan with foil) and sprinkle on the topping.
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, or until pick comes out clean.

Looking for more fall recipes?

Italian Beef Sandwich: Pride of Chicago

Maple Recipes from Quebec

Caldo Gallega: Spanish Soup for the Soul