Seasonal Spotlight: Apples

Contributed by: Devanshi Desai (Nourish Volunteer)

October is a special time of year in Nova Scotia. From the colourful changing leaves to the bountiful harvests, it's the perfect time to get out and explore as sweater weather sets in. Fall brings about the fruits (and vegetables) of a summer’s worth of labour, and most importantly, the return of apple season! Nova Scotia produces about 10% of the commercial apple crop in Canada. There are at least 40 varieties of apples grown in Nova Scotia.

Nothing tastes better than a crisp, crunchy Nova Scotia apple! Apples are also good for our health; they are a natural energy booster, contain more fibre than a bowl of oatmeal, and are a good source of vitamin C.

Some helpful hints to keep in mind when looking for apples:

Look for firm, well-shaped fruit, free of bruises or skin punctures.
Buy only what you can use in a short period of time unless you plan to freeze them.
Store in a cool and well-ventilated room to keep apples crisp.
Handle with care to prevent bruising, and don’t store bruised or damaged apples with other apples.
Don’t wash them until you are ready to use them.

Recipe ideas:

Cinnamon Skillet Apples: Cook apple slices over low heat in a skillet until tender, with just a bit of water and cinnamon for flavour. Top your bowl of cinnamon apples with a scoop of vanilla yogurt for a delicious, healthy dessert.
Broccoli Apple Salad: The perfect salad for fall! Made with raw broccoli, chopped apples, red onion, walnuts, golden raisins, cranberries and shredded carrots for a perfect mix of savory and sweet. Toss in a light, tangy dressing.

Picking your produce:

Nova Scotia has a more than 40 varieties of apples, and they are readily available locally. Find different varieties of apples in your area with this handy list of Farmer’s Markets in Nova Scotia or pick them yourself at a local U-Pick .