As the saying goes, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Among the world’s most popular fruit, there’s a lot of truth to this old adage. Apples are high in fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. They are filling and can be used in a variety of ways: sweet recipes, savory recipes, juices, sauces, drinks…the list goes on and on.
A medium-sized unpeeled apple contains about 80 calories and a whopping 5 grams of dietary fiber, which is about 20% of the Daily Value for this nutrient. Fiber helps to improve fullness, which can help if weight loss is a goal, and can lower blood sugar levels while boosting digestive function. Considering the majority of our population lacks fiber in their diets, this is a great addition to your daily meals or snacks!
Fall is the perfect time of the year to round up the family and head to a nearby orchard to pick your own produce or swing by a local farmers market and grab fresh varieties of apples without having to do the work. Below you will find local Maryland apples that are harvested during the fall months, as well as delicious and creative recipes to turn your pickings into the star of your feasts. Lastly, read on for a few nearby orchards to visit and get hands-on by picking your own crops. There’s no better time than now to make fall the most appl-icious time of year.
Maryland Fall Apples:
The following apples can be harvested in your local Maryland orchards (see below) during the months of September through November.
Crispin Known as Mutsu in its native Japan, the Crispin apple looks like a large Golden Delicious and has a great sweet honeyed flavor and a crisp bite. Very versatile in the kitchen, the Crispin is great for baking and use in desserts, and of course delicious to eat on its own.
Fuji Also native to Japan, the Fuji apple is one of the more attractive varieties with a lightly pink speckled flush over a yellow-green background. Crisp and juicy, the Fuji apple has a sweet flavor and a very refreshing bite. Among the most popular apple for eating fresh, Fuji apples are great for baking but also hold their shape when cooked.
Golden Delicious The Golden Delicious is a popular golden-green colored apple. When allowed to completely ripen, their exceptionally sweet and rich flavor comes alive. The Golden Delicious has a firm texture and has excellent taste for eating, cooking, and dessert dishes.
Jonagold This popular apple has a red coloring with yellow undertones. Because of their large size, they are favored by farmers and consumers alike. Sweet with a thin skin, the Jonagold has a crisp yellow flesh. The flavor is satisfying with a balance of tartness and acidity. This apple is ideal for baking and snacking on its own.
Recipes:
Try these three apple-centric dishes that are as healthy as they are delicious!
Turkey, Kale, and Apple Meatballs with Apple Tahini Sauce- Makes 24 Meatballs
From: https://eatthegains.com/turkey-kale-apple-meatballs-apple-tahini-sauce/
Ingredients:
Meatballs
- 1-pound ground turkey breast
- 1 medium apple
- 3 cups packed kale
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 Tablespoon coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos/liquid aminos
- 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon tahini
- 2 Tablespoons applesauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- salt, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat a medium-large sauté pan over medium heat. Add avocado oil and let it get hot, about 30 seconds. Add kale sauté for 2 minutes. Add apples and sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Add to a medium sized bowl and let cool for a minute.
- Add ground turkey, coconut flour, and seasonings to the same bowl. Mix to combine. Using a tablespoon as a scoop, form into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, make the sauce. Add all ingredients into a small jar or cup and blend with an immersion blender for 1 minute until combined. You can also add it to a blender.
- Place meatballs over noodles of choice and top with sauce. Enjoy!
Apple Mango Salsa- 12 Servings
From: https://www.littlesweetbaker.com/apple-mango-salsa/
Ingredients:
- 2 cups local apples, diced (firm and crisp work best)
- 1 cup mangoes, diced
- 1/2 cup red peppers, diced small
- 1/2 cup red onions, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Give a quick stir before serving.
Healthy Baked Apples- 6 Servings
From: https://thecleaneatingcouple.com/healthy-baked-apples/
Ingredients:
- 6 large apples
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ cup apple cider or water
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Core apples - slice the tops of the apples flat and remove the stem with a sharp knife. Cut about halfway down to remove the seeds from the center.
- Grease an oven safe baking dish with cooking spray or coconut oil (8x8 will work best) and place the apples in the dish.
- In a bowl combine oats, pecans and spices. Add in melted coconut oil and maple syrup. Stir to combine.
- Place apples in baking dish. Divide oat mixture evenly among the center of the apples, pressing the filling in towards the center of the apples.
- Pour apple cider or water into the bottom of the baking dish. Cover apples with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, making sure to baste the apples with the cider every 5-10 minutes. Uncover the apples for the last 5 minutes.
- The apples should be fork tender when cooked. Serve warm and enjoy!
Local Maryland Orchards:
Pack up the car and head on over to a one of these local orchards to pick your own produce and get in touch with nature. This is a must-do autumn outing for the whole family.
Weber’s Cider Mill Farm
2526 Proctor Lane
Parkville, MD 21734
(410)-668-4488
Baugher’s Orchard & Farm
1015 Baugher Road
Westminster, MD 21158
Market:(410)-848-5541 or (410)-876-5642
Pick Your Own Info: (410)-857-0111
Larriland Farm
2415 Woodbine Road
Woodbine, MD 21797
(410)-442-2605 or (301)-854-6110
