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Apple

Apple Food Hero Monthly
Cooking with Apples
Magazine

Apple Basics

  • Apples provide vitamin C, Potassium and fiber.
  • Eat the peel for more fiber.

Shop and Save

  • Look for apples that are firm and do not have broken skin, bruises or soft spots.
  • Apples are harvested between August and November, but are available year round. During harvest time, apples may cost less and be more crisp.
  • Farmers markets and farm stands may have local varieties that you can taste before buying.

Store Well Waste Less

  • Whole apples can be stored at room temperature for a few days. They can be stored in the refrigerator in a crisper drawer or open bag for up to 6 weeks.
  • Apples that are starting to shrivel can be used in cooking.
  • Apples tend to brown after they are peeled or cut. Browning is not harmful. To keep cut apples looking fresh for a few hours, dip the cut pieces in lemon or orange juice and refrigerate in a covered container.
  • Refrigerating cut apples in a container of water also keeps them white, crisp, and ready to eat.

Some Popular Varieties of Apples

Braeburn

Sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture; good fresh or cooked

Pink Lady (Cripps Pink)

Sweet-tart flavor and firm, crisp texture; excellent fresh or cooked, very good for freezing

Granny Smith

Crunchy and tart; good fresh, cooked or frozen

Gala

Crisp and very sweet; good fresh or cooked but not recommended for freezing

Honeycrisp

Crisp, sweet and juicy; excellent fresh or cooked and can be frozen

Fuji

Crunchy and super sweet; good fresh, cooked or frozen

Golden Delicious

Crisp, sweet and mellow with a tender skin; stays white longer after cutting; excellent for all purposes

Red Delicious

Crunchy texture and mildly sweet flavor; deep red skin adds color; best used fresh

Cooking with Apples

      Recipes

      Microwave Applesauce

      Baked Apple Chips

      Quick Fix

      • Mix chopped apples into hot cereal like oatmeal.
      • Mix peanut butter and yogurt together for a delicious dip for apple slices.
      • Add thinly sliced apples to your sandwich for a little crunch.

      Tips for Freezing Apples

      1. Slice apples.
      2. To prevent browning, dip the slices in lemon or orange juice.
      3. Freeze the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1 to 2 hours.
      4. Place the frozen slices into a freezer container, sealing it tightly.

      To Use: Pour out the amount of frozen apples needed, then reseal the container and return it to the freezer. Use frozen apple slices within 8 months for best quality.

      Kids Can!

      When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:

      • rub apples under cool running water.
      • choose apples at the store.