Apples are a very popular fruit in Canada, because in addition to being delicious and nutritious, they are grown here. Since they have a long shelf life, you can eat apples from Canada all year round. More and more people are interested in local food, whether for the sake of freshness, to support local farmers or to reduce the impact of transport on the environment. Whatever the case, the apple is a great choice!
Several varieties
Eating the same fruit all year can be repetitive. Fortunately, there are many varieties of apples: McIntosh, Paulared, Gala, Spartan, Cortland, Empire, golden delicious… Some will taste better raw, others are great for cooking. For more information on how to choose and store your apples, click here.
Variety of the cut
Did you know that the way you cut a fruit or vegetable will change its taste? So, before you even pick your seasoning, it’s a good idea to take out the knife and vary the way you prepare your food! Whole, grated, thinly sliced, julienne… The apple can appear on our plate in a number of ways.
Recipe ideas
Here are some ideas to enjoy this fruit year-round, without feeling like you’re always eating the same thing.
A sweet and salty salad
Including a sliced apple, cubed or grated in your salad will add a very interesting sweet and tangy touch. For example, you could try making a couscous salad with pork and apples, or a kale salad with apples and cranberries. You can take inspiration from this recipe
An original entry
The apple is often associated with sweet recipes, but it is also delicious in a salty dish. You could serve the salad stuffed in endive leaves to create small bites that are easy to share.
The apple can also be cooked in soup, to add sweet flavour. Carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnips and squash are some examples of winning combinations with apples.
Try this carrot and apple soup recipe.
A classic or light dessert
The apple is a fruit that can be used very well for dessert, raw or cooked. You might want to try the following recipes:
Did you know that for most cake and muffin recipes, you can easily replace some of the fat with applesauce? For optimal texture, it’s best not to replace more than half the fat in the recipe. This reduces the amount of fat in your recipe, while adding fruit to the dessert. If applesauce is already in the recipe, like this carrot cake it’s best not to substitute the remaining fat.
For a surprising sandwich
Apples add a lot of personality to a sandwich. Slice an apple thinly and cover with lemon juice before adding it to your favorite sandwich. The cheese and apple duo is a winning choice. Add apple slices to a grilled cheese!
A quick snack
The apple is often eaten whole as a snack. To make a change, you could slice the apple into quarters, cover with lemon juice and sprinkle with cinnamon to add flavour. Another idea is to dip the apple slices in peanut or almond butter. The smoothie is also a quick choice, and it is possible to vary the taste by adding different fruits and vegetables.
And you,do you often snack on apples? How do you do that?
What is your favourite variety?
Written by Marie-Ève Caplette, Registered Dietitian and Half Your Plate Ambassador
