We are past the fall equinox, which brings crisp air – and an abundance of crisp, locally-grown apples! One can certainly bake a pie, but we have a few more suggestions for how to enjoy all that the apple harvest has to offer.
To learn about the best uses and flavor profiles of specific apple varieties, view our guide.
Honeycrisp and First Kiss apples pair well with root vegetables to roast in the oven. Simply slice the apples and toss them in oil with cubed butternut squash, carrots, and parsnips, or other hearty veggies, and season with salt, pepper, sage, and/or thyme. Roast and enjoy with delicious Peterson Craftsman Meats pork or Seward-made sausages for a mouthwatering delight.
Sweet & Savory Fall SaladsMany of us know how wonderful fruit can taste in salads, and apples are no exception. They add a wonderful texture, as well as bright, sweet and tart flavors to a plain pile of greens. Top your favorite salad greens (available in bulk in the Produce department) with thinly-sliced McIntosh apples, blue cheese, walnuts or pecans, and dried fruit like cranberries or cherries. A basic vinaigrette with olive oil and apple cider vinegar, or light balsamic, really lets the fresh flavors of the salad shine through.
Skip the Pie – no-fuss crisps and galettes!Pies can take a long time, especially if you’re making them from scratch. Light, flaky pie dough can also be tricky to achieve. Save yourself the effort and prepare an apple crisp! Rolled oats and toasted nuts crown spiced apples in this recipe that’s perfect for cool fall evening. Visit the co-op to pick up all the dry goods for this recipe in the Bulk aisles. For more of a challenge, try crisp’s cousin, the galette. Bake up a flaky, buttery, rustic crust filled with soft-cooked and gently spiced apples. Both are delicious served warm à la mode with a scoop of ice cream.
Don’t feel like cooking but still want to enjoy that delicious fall apple flavor? When you see it in stores, enjoy freshly-pressed cider from Featherstone Farm, who recently acquired Hoch Orchard in 2024. Warm it up and sip away, or add a cinnamon stick, orange zest, or a chai tea bag for some zippy, warming spice. And, finally, don’t forget the old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away. Eat them out of hand in their natural state for on-the-go snacking any time.
