Apples come into their own
One of the best things about fall is that local apples come into
season. For the next few months, locals can get locally-grown fruit
and forego the summer Fujis and Galas imported from far-off places
such as New Zealand.
For those who can only identify golden or red delicious apples,
now is the perfect time to visit a farmers’ market
– or better yet drive straight to an apple orchard. On the other
side of the hill in Santa Cruz County, the weather works well for a
variety of apples – the late morning fog mixed with coastal cool
seems to ripen apples to perfection.
Apples come into their own
One of the best things about fall is that local apples come into season. For the next few months, locals can get locally-grown fruit and forego the summer Fujis and Galas imported from far-off places such as New Zealand.
For those who can only identify golden or red delicious apples, now is the perfect time to visit a farmers’ market – or better yet drive straight to an apple orchard. On the other side of the hill in Santa Cruz County, the weather works well for a variety of apples – the late morning fog mixed with coastal cool seems to ripen apples to perfection.
Gizdich Ranch, at 55 Peckham Road in Watsonville, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they offer you-pick for those who want to spend some time in the orchards. They also have a market where multiple varieties of apples are offered, along with fresh-pressed apple juice, and their bakery offers fresh baked pies of all sorts. Though apples are in season, their lemon meringue deserves a mention. For more information, visit www.gizdich-ranch.com or call 722-1056.
Also in Watsonville, Prevedelli Farms offers new and heirloom apple varieties grown at their location, 375 Pioneer View Road. They sell well-known varieties such as red and golden delicious, Fuji, Gala and Braeburn, but they also offer new and heirloom varieties. Try something new in their winter banana, Langford or black twig. Prevedelli staff sell at the Morgan Hill Farmers’ market on Saturday mornings, and they also ship gift boxes. In addition to the fresh fruit, they sell blackberry syrups and apple butter. For more information visit www.prevedelli.com or call 724-9282.
Local grocery stores, such as Nob Hill, often sell apples from Gizdich and other local farms in the fall as well.
These fresh apples are great as a snack, but they also work well in the oven. Try these recipes with a warm sweet treat.
Baked apples
Six apples
1 bar butter, cubed
1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Core apples, but leave the peels on. Place in a glass baking dish. In the center of each apple, place a cube of butter and sprinkle in the sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 20 minutes or until apples soften but are not mushy.
Serve alone or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Apple cream crumble
Recipe courtesy of Kraft
1/2 pkg. (15 oz.) ready-to-use refrigerated pie crusts (1 crust)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2/3 c. sour cream
3 medium apples, cored, peeled and sliced
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/3 c. cold butter or margarine
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll pastry to 12-inch circle on lightly floured surface. Line 10-inch quiche dish or tart pan with removable bottom with pastry. Trim edge of pastry even with top of dish; pierce pastry with fork. Bake 15 minutes. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add egg; mix well. Blend in sour cream. Pour into crust; top with apples. Mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon; cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans; sprinkle over apples.
Bake 50 min. or until golden brown. Cool. Store leftover tart in refrigerator.
10-minute apple sauce
Recipe courtesy of the Food Network
3 golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, and quartered
3 Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and quartered
1 c. unfiltered apple juice
2 tbsp. cognac or brandy
2 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
In a sealable microwave-safe container, combine apples with all other ingredients. Close lid, leaving one corner of lid open to allow steam to escape. Microwave on high for 10 min.
Using a hand blender or potato masher, blend to desired consistency. Serve hot immediately or chill for later use.
