Can you believe it’s nearly September? Neither can we. While we’ve enjoyed all the fruits and vegetables of summer, we’re looking forward to a new bounty of flavors as the leaves start their annual descent. 

One of the greatest parts of living in the Northeast is our access to hundreds of different apple varieties that can be used for pies, crisps, salads, sauces and even pickling (stay with us on this one!). Here is a rundown of some of our favorite ways to use this versatile fruit beyond slicing and dicing. 

Pickled Apples

Perfect for cheese boards or pairing with a decadent fatty meat, pickled apples bring a light acidity and sweetness to savory applications. We love this simple recipe from Food52 that involves a quick trip to your pantry for ingredients.

Apple Strudel

With Rosh Hashanah coming up, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the moment that we can start making Apple Strudel for our delivery boxes and private events. The combination of sweetened apples, plump raisins and delicate pastry work makes this dessert not only a delicious way to end any meal, but a beautiful centerpiece as well.

Slow Cooker Applesauce

A great way to use up apples that have seen better days (i.e. have ripened a bit too much) is to toss them in a slow-cooker and make an easy applesauce. This recipe by The Kitchn has just four ingredients, and you’ll only spend about 10 minutes prepping everything. Plus, if you have some Mason Jars around the house, you can put your jarring skills to the test and make some as a gift for friends and family. 

Poached Apples

Receiving a poached apple or pear at a dinner party feels oh-so-luxurious, but requires minimal effort in preparing. Bon Appetit’s recipe for red wine poached apples suggests serving with Greek yogurt to offset the sweetness from the poaching liquid. 

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

Hello again, butternut squash, we’ve missed you! We’ve been looking forward to making soups with our favorite squash varieties, and this Well Plated recipe for Butternut Squash and Apple Soup is a delicious and wallet-friendly meal that will keep well in the freezer. 

Interested in enjoying apples but don’t feel like doing the peeling and coring? Send us an email and we are happy to prepare an autumnal feast for you - hello@peppercornevents.com