I“m starting a new series on my blog called, In Season, featuring seasonal produce when it”s in season. Shocker! I realize that everywhere in the world goes through different seasons at different times. So, I”m gonna stick with what I know. But, I”ll be posting links to your recipes and giving info on the produce such as: the best ways to use it, how to store, etc. And, that can be useful for everyone right?

I”ve been inspired lately to cook with the seasons and trying hard to avoid the imports. So, in an effort to learn more and put it into practice, I thought I”d share what I find and learn with you! I definitely don”t know everything so please always feel free to add your tidbits into the comments section.

Apple season is well underway and I have been enjoying them daily for quite a while now. Fresh, in season apples, just can”t be beat. I thought it would be an appropriate start to this series since it”s one of our favourite fruits. Let”s get started!

*See bottom of post to find out next months pick and how you can participate.

All About Apples

In Season

Apples are at their peak, typically, from late August through November. This is when they taste the best! Although, they do keep well in cold storage, which is why they are available year round.

Buying

Look for firm, heavy apples that are brightly colored and crisp. Avoid apples that have bruised or damaged skin.

Storing

Store in a cool dry place. For longest storage, store in the crisper drawer (or a plastic bag) of the refrigerator. Remove apples that are over-ripe as they will cause the others to ripen more quickly. Should keep for one month in the fridge.

Best Uses

There are so many apple varieties that I”m gonna stick with the basics for this one.

Best for Baking:

Spy Gold, Spartan, Pink Lady, Northern Spy, Mutsu, Jonathan, Jonagold, Honeygold, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Empire, Cortland, Baldwin, Braeburn, Rome Beauty, Pippin, Winesap, Gravenstein

Best for Applesauce:

Spartan, Pink Lady, Northern Spy, Mutsu, McIntosh, Jonathan, Jonagold, Honeygold, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Cortland, Braeburn, Rome Beauty, Pippin, Winesap, Gravenstein

Best for Pies:

Spy Gold, Spartan, Pink Lady, Northern Spy, Mutsu, Jonathan, Jonagold, Honeygold, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Empire, Cortland, Braeburn, Rome Beauty, Pippin, Winesap, Gravenstein

Best Eaten Fresh:

Spy Gold, Spartan, Red Delicious, Pink Lady, Mutsu, McIntosh, Jonathan, Jonagold, Honeygold, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Empire, Cortland, Braeburn, Pippin, Winesap, Gravenstein

Best for Drying:

Spartan, Jonathan, Honeygold, Honeycrisp, Gala, Empire

You can, of course, use the apples you have on hand for whatever recipe you want to make. You just may not get the absolute best possible results.

Random Tips

*To stave off browning, toss cut apples with lemon or orange juice.

1 pound of apples is equal to (approximately):

4 small apples

3 medium apples

2 large apples

3 cups, chopped

2 3/4 cups sliced

1.5 cups grated

Recipes

I put the call out on Twitter for peoples favourite apple recipes. These wonderful people graciously obliged. Make sure to head over to their sites, read their posts and grab the recipes!

Puzzle Apples

“These Puzzle Apples would be great to put in your child’s lunchbox. They might possibly even be quite proud to show these off to their friends. Which means extra points for Mom (or Dad).”

~ Kitchen Simplicity

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

“I normally like to make most of my foods from scratch. But, sometimes there is just no substitute for the instant pudding packages. This recipe uses a boxed package of butterscotch pudding. So delicious!”

~Kitchen Simplicity

Apple Lemon Cinnamon Muffins

“I have been making this recipe for years. And, I really enjoy it. It is not overly sweet, which I prefer in a breakfast muffin. I like to put strawberry jam in the center because I always like a bit of jam on my muffins and so it saves me an extra step later on.”

~ Kitchen Simplicity

Maple Walnut Apple Chips

“These blew me out of the water and have changed my idea about dried fruit. If it’s done right, it’s downright amazing. They’re like a maple walnut apple pie and a chip all in one, just without the calories. Who can resist that?”

~ Kitchen Simplicity

Apple Strudel

“A traditional Apple Strudel with a lovely combo of sweetness and saltiness.”

~ Kitchen Simplicity

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

“The buns are light and fluffy with just the right amount of sticky cinnamon topping and delicious apple centre.”

~ Baked by Rachel

Apple Coffee Cake Muffins

“My mission was to find a recipe or a few to create amazing coffee cake muffins, with apples. Success! The final product is so delicious. I ate one and went back for another. And had another as an after dinner snack. Don’t laugh, you’d do it too!”

~ Baked by Rachel

Apple Pie

“Don’t fear the pie. You can make one. They do take some time and a bit of love but they’re absolutely worth it… This is the hands down best apple pie I have ever had. I’ve had a lot of pies growing up and none compare to this one.”

~ Baked by Rachel

Toffee Apple Dip

“I absolutely love this dip. It’s a great appetizer or snack. Just be careful … it’s a little addicting.”

~ Becky Higgins

Roasted Parsnip and Apple Soup

“This soup is pleasantly easy to make and is layered in complex flavours. Pair it with a nice crusty bread and you have yourself a fabulous end of summer meal.”

~ Guilty Kitchen

Lazy Sourdough Apple Pankcakes

“Begin by making a lazy sourdough starter in the evening, and the next morning, enjoy Sourdough Apple Pancakes with the kids.”

~ Simple Bites

Classic Applesauce

“A basic step-by-step tutorial on how I make and can my applesauce. It’s straightforward, easy to make in large batches and just delicious!”

~ Simple Bites

Tonka-Bean Spiced Apple-Raspberry Cake

“Don”t sweat it if you don”t have tonka bean, just use a teaspoon of cinnamon instead.”

~Under the High Chair

Carrot, Leek and Apple Soup

“For fun, toss in some whole-wheat garlic croutons for crunch and bacon because–well, bacon needs no explanation, really.”

~ Under the High Chair

Squash-apple Soup with roasted ginger

“Apples and Squash for September Bloom Day”

~ Mahlzeit

Ooey Gooey Caramel Apple Blackout Cake (vegan)

“Digging your fork into this cake is like eating ultra-moist and robust chocolate pudding with baked apples and just enough cinnamon spice inside.”

~ Desserts for Breakfast

That”s it for this months roundup. Feel free to share your thoughts, recipes and tips below.

The next In Season roundup will be Brussels Sprouts. You can email or tweet me your posts and/or tips all the way until November 15th. Feel free to pull from the archives, or send me your new posts as you make them! All I ask is that you send me a short blurb along with the link with some sort of description of the recipe or article. You can take it right from the post or write something new. It”s up to you! If you don”t want me to include a picture please let me know. Even if you don”t have a blog or a blogpost feel free to submit your tips and I”ll include a quote from you. Can”t wait to see your submissions!

Are there any other headings you would like to see on these posts?

All About Apples

In Season

Buying

Storing

Best Uses

Best for Baking:

Best for Applesauce:

Best for Pies:

Best Eaten Fresh:

Best for Drying:

Random Tips

*To stave off browning, toss cut apples with lemon or orange juice.

1 pound of apples is equal to (approximately):

Recipes

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