Apples have inspired everything from pies and crisps to fairy tales and catchphrases. Although they’re available in the produce aisle year-round in Canada, this fruit shines in the fall. Here’s what you need to know about this harvest favourite.
Picking Apples
Choose firm apples without bruises, and pay attention to colours — many varieties change hues as they ripen. For instance, a green Granny Smith may be ready to eat, but a green McIntosh likely needs more time to mature.
Storage & Prep
Store apples in a dark, cool, slightly humid place, like the fridge crisper. To prevent spoiling, wash them right before using.
Check out our guide to learn what apples varieties work best for cooking, baking and eating.
Breakfast & Brunch
Apples have antioxidants, flavonoids and dietary fibre, and a medium apple counts as one serving of fruit.
Boost your daily fruit intake with Baked Apples with Granola Topping, in which sweet-tart Granny Smiths complement the caramel and cinnamon. Cortlands are fabulous in fruit desserts like Spiced Apple Salad with Granola because they don’t brown as quickly when sliced.
Honey glaze in Apple-Pecan & Cinnamon Pull-Apart Loaf blends beautifully with spicy cinnamon and nutty seasonings. For a light side dish, diced apples add crunch to Brussels Sprouts Blend, Apple & Roquefort Salad. A sweeter variety balances the tang of crumbled cheese and vinegary dressing.
On the run? Pack Aged Cheddar Cheese & Apple Dip in a resealable container along with celery sticks and other veggies. This dip is also tasty with crostini or crackers.
Main Meals
The sweet-tart taste of apple makes it a perfect flavour partner in many dinner dishes.
Pork and apples are a popular pairing. A fruity dressing offsets brininess in Cranberry & Apple-Stuffed Pork Roast. Or make Herbed Pork with Brie & Apples, a tender pork loin mulled in apple juice and apple wedges. Apples add zest to Sausages with Potato, Kale & Apple, which simmers in hot cider and caramelized apples.
Add diced green apples to Fish Tacos with Cucumber-Apple Salsa, which lend sweetness to the spicy-salty burst. Roasting apples with vegetables brings out the ingredients’ sweeter sides in Cauliflower, Leek & Apple Soup. Granny Smiths complement the sharp cheese in Apple, Cheddar & Bacon Pie.
Enjoy the rich, salty and flaky goodness of Herbed Apple & Bacon Biscuits served alongside soups and stews.
Snacks and Desserts
In sweets, apples pair beautifully with custard, maple, caramel, sugar and assorted spices. Plus, they tenderize nicely while cooking without breaking down.
Gluten-Free Almond Apple Crisp is a classic with a twist thanks to maple-seasoned apples and a nutty crust. A fall entertaining classic, this Deep Dish Apple Pie warms with its sweet-sour filling that melds into a flaky crust.
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples are excellent for baking because they endure heat well and balance sweet-tart flavours. Instead of coffee cake, infuse dark honey and chopped apple into moist Apple Cardamom Honey Cake.
All the crunch and appeal of candy apples, packaged into a no-mess, bite-sized treat, our Peanut Brittle Apple Pops are great for kids and adults alike. In a “dessert pizza” like Apple Cinnamon Flatbread, the mild sweetness of apples mingles marvellously with cream cheese.
A Canadian alternative to ordinary jams and butters, homemade Apple Butter or Apple Pistachio Chutney make tasty spreads for toast and crackers. Sliced apples only need a few hours in the oven to dry into Apple Chips. And Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar adds tang to salad dressings and acts as a homemade digestive tonic.
