GREENSBURG – Since I have been making and freezing applesauce this week, here are few interesting facts about apples you might enjoy.
Apples are not native to America. They originated in Central Asia. They are members of the rose family. Archeologists found evidence that humans have enjoyed them since at least 6500 B.C. Apple trees can live up to 100 years. They make up half of the world’s fruit tree production. There are more than 2,500 varieties of apples in the U. S. Favorites are gala, honeycrisp, granny smith and also red and yellow delicious. Apples can float because they are 25 percent air. (Good for bobbing apples!) They contain 80 calories, on average, and are high in fiber. They also lower chances of type 2 diabetes. The antioxidants in apples can slow the growth of cancer cells. The average person eats 65 apples a year.
Hope you learned something about apples you did not know.
Now, how about some recipes!
Cherry Baked Beans
1 lb. of lean ground beef
2 cans (15 oz. each) of pork and beans
2 c. frozen pitted tart cherries, thawed
1 can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. water
1 envelope onion soup mix
2 T. mustard
2 tsp. cider vinegar
Brown beef over medium heat; drain. Combine remaining ingredients and stir in beef. Put in an ungreased 2 1/2 qt. baking dish. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees until heated through, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes. Makes 12 servings.
Quick Cranberry Sauce
2 cans of whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 12 oz. jar of orange marmalade
2 tsp. orange juice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients. Refrigerate covered until serving time. Makes 4 cups.
Quick Apple Crisp
5 apples
9 oz. pkg of yellow cake mix (1/2 pkg.)
2 T. sugar
2 T. cinnamon
1/4 c. melted butter
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Peel, core and slice apples. Cut apples in half crosswise. Place in baking dish and combine remaining ingredients. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over apples and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Apple Dip
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. apple butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped peanuts
Mix together all ingredients, then serve and dip apples in it. May also be used with other fruits. Variation: add 1 cup of marshmallow creme.
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