Apple Recipes to Ring in the Fall Season

For many of us (ahem: this writer), fall weather means apples … apple picking, apple preserving, apple baking. And most of all, apple eating. Apples can be found growing in most parts of southern Canada, including many spots near the Trans Canada Trail. Suggestion: why not combine apple picking and Trail adventuring?

Apples contain quercitin and pectin, and have antioxidant properties, among other benefits. Plus, they’re delicious, easy to bring on a hike or bike ride, and make an excellent snack along the Trail. Here are three suggestions for apple-starring dishes (and cocktails!) to get you in the fall spirit.

Apple soup with celery root

This hearty apple soup has the fall season written all over it.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 medium celery root, peeled and chopped

• 4 apples – we recommend a mix of Honeycrisp and Cortland for a tart/sweet combo, but any apple will do – cored, peeled and chopped

• 2 litres vegetable or chicken stock

• 4 tablespoons olive oil

• Heavy cream to garnish (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

How to prepare

1. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and diced onions to your soup pot at medium heat. Sauté, stirring regularly, for 10 minutes or until the onion softens.

2. Add celery root and apples. Sauté for an additional 10 minutes.

3. Add stock and bring heat to low. Let the soup simmer for 30 minutes or until all ingredients are very soft. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4. Transfer to a blender and blend well.

5. Transfer back to soup pot. Serve with a dash of heavy cream and the remaining olive oil in each bowl.

Apple and carrot salad

A sure hit with the toddler set (and, also quite tasty for those of us past toddler age), this salad is simple and flavourful, and takes 5 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2-3 apples, grated

• 1-2 carrots, grated

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil, toasted or regular

• Juice of half a lemon (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

How to prepare

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Apple martini, with or without alcohol

A fun seasonal cocktail, the apple martini is a great combination of sweet and tart.

Ingredients

• 30 mL vodka

• 30 mL apple schnapps

• 30 mL apple juice – from the local orchard is your best bet!

• A splash of lime juice

• Ice cubes

• 2-3 slices of apple as garnish

Combine the first five ingredients. Use a martini shaker to mix or stir vigorously. Garnish with apple slices and enjoy!

For a non-alcoholic version, mix together 60 mL apple juice, 30 mL sparkling water, a splash of lime juice, and ice cubes. Garnish with apple slices and enjoy!

Recipes adapted from:

https://www.saq.com/en/apple-martini-ec

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/apple-celeriac-soup/