In the fall we begin to see roadside apple stands. This is the time of year the apple orchards are harvested. Fresh apples just plucked from the tree are crisper and tastier. When I was a child the only time you got the opportunity to eat a caramel apple was when you went to the county fair or your mom made them at home. They are more readily available now. Caramel apples are seen at most groceries during the fall. Making caramel apples at home is a fun and easy family event. Most caramel candies have a recipe on the back of the bag. Warm apple cider is also another treat of fall. You can juice your own apples or purchase a jug of cider at the roadside stand. Warm in a pot on top of the stove. Do not use the microwave oven. Add a cinnamon stick for flavor and to use as a stirrer.

Apples have a very thin peel. This exposes the fruit hiding right under the peel to pesticides. Pesticides in the fruit take away the health benefit. For this reason it is very important to choose organically grown apples. Do not be afraid to ask the keeper of that roadside stand if the apples he is selling are organically grown. Watch for “organically grown” signs when shopping at a grocery store. Most farmers markets will be open for the month of October. Fresh apples will be readily available. A word of caution, not all products at the farmers market are organically grown. Removing the peel will not remove all the pesticides. It will remove some of them, but it will also remove some of the nutritional value. Much of the vitamins and nutrition is found in the peel. Organically grown apples are a very healthy choice for a snack.

Apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. This antioxidant fights several forms of cancer. The plant compounds found in the apple peal also provides cancer fighting benefits. This is the reason you want to be able to eat the peel. Buying organic enables you to eat the whole fruit and receive all the health benefits.

Any cook that makes jelly or jam has heard of pectin. Pectin is used to actually make the jelly and jam to thicken or gel. Pectin comes from apples. Pectin can kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells. It can help block cholesterol, and prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries.

Watch for the roadside apples stands. Some of them may be located next to an orchard. You might run across an orchard that allows “pick your own”. This is fun. Enjoy the season of apples.

Fresh Apple Cake

Ingredients

3 Cups self rising flour
1 1/2 Cup oil
2 Cups sugar or (Xylitol for a sugar free option)
1 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 Cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 Cup of fresh apples Chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Mix together above ingredients. Add 1 cup of walnuts or pecans. Add chopped apples. Bake in a greased floured cake pan. Bake for 1 hour. Use fork to poke holes in cake while cake is still warm.

Glaze
1 Stick butter
1/4 evaporated milk
1 Cup sugar or 1 cup Xylitol sweetener
Bring to boil. Boil for 3 min Pour over warm cake.

Option Serve with vanilla ice cream

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