As October nears its departure, we would be amiss to not talk about the Harvest of the Month star - Apples! This week, Golden Delicious apples (Sustainable Sanctuary) grace our CSA boxes and our Micro Market is stocked full, adding Jonadel (Sustainable Sanctuary) AND Red Rome Beauty Apples (Bridgewater Farm) to the mix. The Nebraska Dept of Education Website provides a wealth of knowledge on this American staple, not to mention printable coloring sheets and trivia to test your knowledge. Check out their website for all the fun https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/farm-to-school/harvest-of-the-month/#1686152539965-a8a4205e-1f1a - the rest of the blog is a sample of the good stuff you’ll find there!
Apples in Nebraska are harvested from August to November, and if properly refrigerated, they can store for as long as 4 months! Some varieties are a hit when crunched into raw and others are best baked with spices. Try adding thinly sliced apples to a sandwich, or add diced apples to a fresh salad.
SELECTION, STORAGE & COOKING
Stored properly, apples can last for months. Keep at about 32 degrees, 90% humidity, and in the dark. Apples release a natural gas called ethylene that triggers other fruits like bananas, avocados and peaches to ripen. To prevent rapid ripening, apples are best stored separately from other fruit. Apples are a great source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Most antioxidants and fiber are found in the skin of an apple.
Fresh Apple Salsa
Ingredients: 2 cups diced apples, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/3 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 jalapeño or Poblano pepper, seeded and minced
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let stand for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve as a condiment with tacos, or alongside pork, chicken, or rice dishes.
FUN WITH APPLES
CONDUCT AN AT HOME APPLE TASTE TEST! Grab two or more different types of apples (found at the No More and conduct an at home taste test! 1. Talk as a group about what senses you will use during this taste test (smell, sight, feeling, taste) and come up with a list of descriptors or adjectives to potentially describe the apples. An example list could be: Tart, Light, Sweet, Grainy, Crunchy, Fragrant, Juicy, Dry, Acidic, Delicate, Thick-Skinned. 2. Cut apples into slices and put one variety per plate. Write the variety of apple on a piece of tape or paper and keep with the plate. 3. Have everyone in your group sample a slice and share what tastes, smells, sights, and feelings they are experiencing. Have a note taker write down everyone’s responses on a sheet of paper. 4. Repeat for as many varieties as you have. 5. After you’ve tasted all varieties, go back and vote on your favorite.
