Saturday, October 22, 2016

Local Saturday - Apple Fail (and a Recipe)

I live in an apple growing area of upstate New York, but this year has not been the kindest to the growers.

A late freeze after a mild winter.  A drought.

We went up to Ithaca, New York last weekend to buy some of the heirloom apples we love so much for heirloom apple crisp (yes, please try my recipe).
This is what we found.  Just a few bins with small apples.
I didn't think there was anything wrong with them.  I look forward to the annual buying of these most tasty of apples, and was grateful there was a crop at all.

Yes, the apples in the bottom bin are brown.  The brown varieties (russet) are some of my favorites.

Americans tend to be very picky about the looks of their produce.  Things get discarded if they don't look "perfect".  Americans do not want blemishes, small items, or other defects in their fruit.  So much fruit and other produce goes to waste - it's a disgrace.

I'm grateful for the apples we were able to buy from these growers.   And when I make the apple crisp, I'll let you know.

Here's the recipe I used a couple of years ago:  this will something nice to make on a cold, blustery day like today.  But I have a pear in the house, and may use it instead of the blueberries.

Fruit Crisp (9 inch square pan, serves 9)

2 pounds baking apples (I used 20 Ounce)

4 tbsp brown sugar (you can also use 1 tbsp sucralose as an alternative)

2 tsp lemon juice

1 cup frozen blueberries (I didn't thaw them)




Peel and slice cored apples. Mix all ingredients together.  Place in a 9 inch square baking dish that has been oiled or buttered.
Top with topping.  Keep in mind this is an adaptation of a low-cal topping.  It may not suit you.

Topping

1 cup quick oats
4 tbsp brown sugar
4 tbsp light butter
1/2 tsp freshly ground allspice (since I, amazingly, didn't have cinnamon on hand)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix topping together and top.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes or until the apple slices are the consistency you want.  Let cool, unless you can't wait to eat it.

Day 22 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.

16 comments:

  1. I will try your recipe. I am glad I read this because I never heard of russet apples before. Yayyyyy!

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  2. Apples and apple recipe! Looks yummy!

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  3. yummy, hungry for apple pie, used to pick crab apples and really any kind of apples will do to make tons pie and freeze for fresh pie all winter long. My mom actually makes apple pizza, just apple pie on round crust like pizza they stack nicely in freezer :)

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  4. This is such a good recipe. Its very close to one that my Mum uses I'd say you'd spoken to her about it!

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  5. Yum, that looks delicious. Spots on apples don't bother me. I'm making applesauce right now. I just cut out the bad stuff and cook the good stuff. I used apples that came from the tree in front of the house.

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  6. Oh my, that recipe sounds so good. I think I need to try it!

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  7. That recipe sounds yummy and since I'm always looking for delicious low-cal recipes, it sounds just the ticket for me. Can't wait to try it!

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  8. I've never heard of russet apples either. Your recipe looks wonderful.

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  9. That recipe sounds yummy! Will try it sometime. :)

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  10. Such a shame that fruits are wasted all because of their looks. IN fact organic fruits don't look perfect but they are one of the healthiest, if you know what I mean! The recipe is definitely worth a try, I think although wondering if canned blueberries would be as good because we don't get the fresh ones here most of the time.

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  11. It's clear that food makes us all excited! I'll be trying your recipe. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. You tempting me to munch an apple tonight after dinner. Love the gorgeous pic. First time I saw a brown apple:)

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  13. Glad you found some apples. Some years... Must be hard on the farmers.

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  14. This recipe looks so delicious, thanks for sharing.

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  15. Oh, yum, I haven't made an apple crisp in a long time. I should do something about that. :)

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