Who didn’t grow up hearing that saying? Well, for good reason. Apples provide a myriad number of benefits. But we’ve all heard that before, right? What about “pick-your-own apples to help save the planet”? This could be a bit far-fetched, but follow this for a minute.
By picking your own apples you are decreasing the food miles of that product. Gallons of gas are being saved from big transportation companies and from the processing facilities that they would have gone through. Fewer pesticides are needed to spray because the apples don’t need to last a month on the shelf. Less pesticides means less manufacturing that dumps harmful chemicals into our environment. Not a terrible idea, huh?
But we can’t forget the tried-and-true health benefits from apples. An apple can help with lowering cholesterol, diabetes management, weight-loss management, and certain cancer prevention. Plus there are many apple cultivars, ranging from sweet to tart to firm to soft, you’re sure to find one you love!
So now that you’ve got good reason to go out and pick some apples, what are you waiting for?! This weekend, September 17th and 18th, The Market at DelVal is holding Apple Fun Days, a free event to celebrate the kick-off of the pick-your-own apple season. Located at 2100 Lower State Road, from 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday, stop down for free wagon rides to the orchard where you can pick apples for 98¢ a pound. There will also be plenty of fun activities for the kids including inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, and crafts.
And if you need a little variety from simply eating raw apple slices, how about throwing them in a delicious flakey crust with some sugar and spices for a sweet-as-pie treat!
Ingredients
Crust
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening
6 tablespoons cold water
Filling
8 cups peeled and cored thinly sliced tart apples (try The Market at DelVal’s Prime Red apples!)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
Directions
1. Prepare crust: Mix flour and salt. Add the shortening and cut in with pastry blender (or two knives). Add water one tablespoon at a time until dough sticks together but isn’t sticky.
2. Divide dough into two balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and put in refrigerator for 45 minutes but workable.
3. While dough is firming up, peel, core and slice apples. Throw apples with sugar, flour, and spices until coated.
4. Preheat the oven to 425°
5. Remove dough from refrigerator. Roll out one ball on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a circle 2” larger than a 9” pie plate turned upside down. Place in pie dish, pressing firmly against bottom and sides.
6. Add apple mixture to pie dish. Dot with butter.
7. Roll out second dough ball on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin to roughly 10” in diameter. Place overtop apples, and trim excessive dough from top and bottom about 1” from edge. Flute edges as desired. Make 3-4 slits in the top crust to let steam escape while cooking.
8. Cover edges of pie with strips of foil 2-3” wide and bake in oven 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for another 10-20 minutes, until crust is golden and juices are bubbling.
This article and recipe was contributed by The Market at Del Val.
The Market By Shady Brook Farm
At Delaware Valley College
2100 Lower State Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-230-7170
Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinet maker from Doylestown, Pa - the heart of Bucks County.
Source:
Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment