Two of my Autumnal favorites – apples and Winter squash are here for our Autumn eating enjoyment. In-season produce is always at its peak of quality and it\u2019s lowest price, so now\u2019s the time to enjoy Autumn\u2019s abundance.<\/p>\n
Although apples are available year-round, they\u2019re harvested – and therefore freshest – in the Fall. Fresh apples can be kept at room temperature only a week before beginning to lose freshness. Store your apples in a ventilated plastic bag in your refrigerator\u2019s produce drawer. If you happen to score a bushel or two and want to keep them as fresh as possible for eating throughout the Winter, wrap unblemished apples individually in a quarter sheet of newspaper, twisting loosely at the top. Store in a single layer in a box without crowding, covered with a heavy, damp cloth, in a cool location where they won\u2019t freeze.<\/p>\n
Which variety you choose depends upon your personal taste and how you plan to use the apples. Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are popular all-purpose apples that will take to any application – eating or cooking. Fuji and Gala apples are sweet, Granny Smiths are tart. Honeycrisp and McIntosh are crisp and juicy.<\/p>\n
There are many ways to use and enjoy apples; some of the simplest uses, besides biting into them whole, are in pie filling and applesauce. Here\u2019s a very simple and satisfying apple recipe:<\/p>\n
Apple Crisp<\/strong><\/p>\n Peel and slice 4-5 apples. Butternut, Acorn, Hubbard, Spaghetti, Turban and Pumpkin are some of the varieties of hard shell (Winter) squash. When choosing squash, pick ones that seem heavy for their size, are unblemished and firm. They can be stored for many months in a cool, dry location not below 50\u00b0F.<\/p>\n Although I included pumpkins in this category, note that the flesh of the large \u201ccarving pumpkins\u201d used for Jack-o-Lanterns is not the same as that from which we make pumpkin pie. That comes from smaller \u201cpie pumpkins\u201d which are, in essence, Winter squashes.<\/p>\n All Winter squashes have a slightly sweet and \u201cmusky\u201d flavor and can be steamed, boiled, baked or even grilled. The flesh can be cubed or pureed and eaten as is or added to soups, stir-frys and casseroles.<\/p>\n I\u2019m particularly fond of this simple method I developed for Butternut squash, but it could be used for any variety of Winter squash.<\/p>\n Grilled Winter Squash<\/strong><\/p>\n Microwave one whole squash 2 minutes on high to slightly soften and make slicing easier. Even Winter Squash seeds are delicious!<\/p>\n *Toasted Squash (or Pumpkin) Seeds<\/strong><\/p>\n Remove seeds from squash, rinse and remove fibers. How better to experience and enjoy the flavors of Autumn than with apples and Winter squash? They\u2019re fresh, abundant, delicious, inexpensive and healthy foods to round out your Fall menus.<\/p>\n What is your favorite Autumn produce?<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two of my Autumnal favorites – apples and Winter squash are here for our Autumn eating enjoyment. In-season produce is always at its peak of quality and it\u2019s lowest price, so now\u2019s the time to enjoy Autumn\u2019s abundance. Apples Although apples are available year-round, they\u2019re harvested – and therefore freshest – in the Fall. Fresh […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[513],"tags":[72,510],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3939"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3939\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/couponshoebox.com\/tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nArrange in a buttered 8\u201dx8\u201d baking pan.
\nSprinkle apples with 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
\nSprinkle with a mixture of \u00be cup packed brown sugar, \u00bd cup oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, \u00bd teaspoon nutmeg and \u00bd teaspoon salt.
\nDrizzle \u00bc cup orange juice over mixture.
\nBake at 350\u00b0F for 40 minutes.<\/p>\nHard Shell (Winter) Squash and Pumpkins<\/h3>\n
\nSlice squash in \u00be\u201d slices, discarding the stem and end.
\nScoop out seeds and fibers from center of slices; set aside.*
\nBrush slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
\nLay slices on medium hot grill; cook until lightly browned (about 10 minutes). Flip slices and brown other side.
\nSquash is done when fork-tender.
\nRemove shell before eating.<\/p>\n
\nPlace in pan and just cover with water.
\nAdd \u00bd teaspoon salt.
\nSimmer for 10 minutes.
\nDrain; pour seeds on baking sheet.
\nSprinkle lightly with salt.
\nBake in 225\u00b0F oven until completely dry, 30-45 minutes.<\/p>\n