Purchasing and Storing
Since most fresh apples are harvested July through December, take advantage of
the just-picked fruit, and plan menus to wallow in apple heaven. Some late
varieties are harvested from January through April, such as Granny Smith.
Seek out those apples that have not been waxed. Farmers' markets are the best
place to buy them without paraffin.
Apples keep best and longest when refrigerated. Unrefrigerated, apples can
become mushy in just two or three days. Purchase them at farmers' markets where
you know they have probably been picked the day before market or at supermarkets
where they are kept cool. Apples should be firm and blemish-free.
If you can purchase organically grown apples in your local grocery store or
farmers' market, you will be steps ahead in avoiding pesticides.
Preparation
Always wash apples thoroughly before eating or cutting to reduce intake of
pesticide residues or bacterial contaminants that result from handling. When
cutting any unwashed fruits or vegetables, it is possible to carry pesticides
from the skin into the flesh with one cut of the knife.
It is suggested that you peel the skin off if the fruit is waxed.
To prevent cut apples from turning brown, a result of oxidation, toss them with
citrus juice. The juice of oranges, lemons, or limes will work equally as well.
If you want to include chopped apples in a fruit salad, allow them to marinate a
few minutes in the citrus juice before adding them to the salad bowl.
Freezing Apples
It's best to peel, core, and slice the apples first. Then prepare a bowl with 1
quart (1 liter) of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Drop the apples into the
prepared water for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse them off and blanch in boiling water
for 1 minute. Cool under running water, drain, and dry the apples on paper
towels.
Arrange apple slices in a single layer on trays and put them into the freezer
until thoroughly frozen. Remove and store them in heavy-duty plastic freezer
bags. With this method you can avoid clumps of frozen fruit sticking together
and can easily remove the quantity desired at any time.
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