Produce of the Month: The Apple(s) of Your Eye

Man slicing apples

This month, we're celebrating what is perhaps the greatest fruit of all time. That is, unless you dislike this fruit, in which case it is not the greatest of all time as far as you're concerned. But for literally everybody else, it's the best. We're talking, of course, about apples!

Some Facts About Apples

Apple icon

First, we want to squash the myth that apples and oranges don't get along. They're famous friends, as a matter of fact.

Apples come in all sorts of colors, sizes, and shapes. But did you know that there are over 7,500 different types of apples? 2,500 of those varieties are grown here in the United States.

Apples are grown in every state in the US, but the top apple-producing states are Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and California.

The most popular type of apple in the United States is the Red Delicious. Other favorites include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious. No joke, there are couples who break up over a difference in apple preference. Probably. Somewhere.

The world's biggest apple pie was made in 2016 and weighed in at 3,700 pounds. The pie was over 16 feet wide, and we would have liked to eat the entire thing.

Perhaps the weirdest apple fact is that the apple seed contains cyanide. Not enough to kill you, but if you ate a bushel of them, it might make you sick. So, don't do that.

How to Select the Best Apples

Now that you know a little more about apples, it's time to select the best of the bunch. Here are some tips:

• Pick apples that are heavy for their size and have smooth, unbroken skin.
• The stem should be green and attached to the apple.
• Give the apple a sniff. It should smell sweet and fruity, not sour.
• Give the apple a little squeeze. It should be firm, not mushy.

Keep these tips in mind, and you'll always be ready with a reply when somebody asks you "how do you like them apples?" You can say something like "why, I like them just fine."

The Different Ways to Use Apples

Apples are a super versatile fruit. They can be used in just about every form of food imaginable. Here are some ideas:

Raw: Eat them as is, or slice them up and add them to a salad.

Baked: Make a classic apple pie, or get creative with an apple galette.

Cooked: Cook up a batch of applesauce, or slow cook apples with cinnamon for a delicious topping on oatmeal or pancakes.

Dried: Dehydrate apple slices for a healthy snack, or make your own apple chips.

Canned: Can your own applesauce or apple butter for a taste of fall all year long.

No matter how you like to eat them, apples are a delicious and nutritious way to add some sweetness to your life. So go out and enjoy the fruit of the season!

Top Secret Apple Pie Recipe

Of course, we wouldn't send you off without a little gift. This is one of our favorite apple pie recipes, and you'll find that it tickles the taste buds in all the right places.

Ingredients:

  • 1 recipe pastry for a 9-inch double crust pie
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 6 to 7 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix together flour, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine apples, sugar, lemon juice, butter, and vanilla. Toss to coat.
  3. Line the pie dish with one pie crust. Pour the apple mixture into the crust, and sprinkle with the flour mixture. Cut remaining pastry into 1/2 - 3/4 inch wide strips, and make a lattice top. Crimp and flute edges.
  4. Bake pie on the lower shelf of the oven for about 50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

There you have it! Now you can enjoy a delicious slice of pie anytime the mood strikes. Just don't forget to share with your friends, because sharing is caring, and pie is delicious.

Caboodle's Got All the Apples You Need

When you order your groceries with Caboodle, apples are just one of the many produce items you can select in your delivery bundles.

You can also choose from a wide variety of other fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, pantry staples, and more. No matter what you're in the mood for, we've got you covered.

Better yet, we'll deliver it straight to your door with no delivery fees. Now that's what we call an A for Apple.

How to Join Caboodle In the Pittsburgh Phase

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If you’re somebody who lives in Pittsburgh and you like the idea of having your groceries delivered, then we invite you to download our app today.

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