Apple Season

Although it doesn’t feel like autumn here in the Valley, apple season is upon us. Local grocery stores carry several varieties so you are sure to find your favorite. Even better, go right to the orchard. Some places even have pick-your-own. This is a great activity to do as a family, as is creating delicious dishes with the fruit you just picked!

Once you get the apples home, you should refrigerate them for maximum freshness since apples ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated. For optimal storage, apples should be kept at 35-40 degrees.

Check out these easy, delicious, apple recipes.


Apple Chicken Salad
1 pound of cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (using a rotisserie chicken saves time and adds tons of flavor)
1 cup apples, chopped and unpeeled
1 cup celery, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons raisins
1 cup Italian dressing (or dressing of your choice), more or less to taste
6 teaspoons brown sugar
Nuts (your favorite) to sprinkle on top

Stir together chicken, apple, celery, and raisins in a large bowl.
Whisk dressing and brown sugar together in a small bowl, then pour over chicken mixture. Toss gently to coat.
Sprinkle each serving with nuts.
Looks really pretty served on lettuce leaves
Serves 6


Apple Stuffed Squash
3 acorn squash
2 apples, chopped
½ cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon orange zest, grated
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut each squash in half, lengthwise, and scrape out seeds.
Place quash, cut side down, in baking dish and bake for 25 minutes.
While squash is baking, mix remaining ingredients.
Once the squash have been baked for 25 minutes, remove from oven, turn cut side up, and fill with apple mixture.
Return to oven and continue baking for 20 minutes, or until squash is tender.
Serves 6


Easy Baked Apples
6 baking apples, cored (Roma work well)
3 tablespoons sugar
6 teaspoons margarine or butter
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon water

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Place apples in 13x9 baking dish. Place ½ tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of margarine into cavity of each apple.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until apples are tender.
In small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and water and spoon over baked apples.
Cook 10 minutes longer.
Serve warm or cool.

No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake
16 oz cream cheese, softened
8 oz whipped topping, thawed
1 (0.8 ounce) package Wildtree Apple Pie Cheesecake Blend
1 graham cracker pie shell

Combine cream cheese, whipped topping and Apple Pie Cheesecake Blend in a mixing bowl and beat until blended. Spoon into the pie shell.
Chill, covered, for at least 2 hours.
Serves 8

Apple Cheese Spread
8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 medium-size apple, peeled and cored
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tsp. lemon thyme or other lemon herb--lemon basil, lemon verbena

In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and lemon juice.
Grate the apple into cheese mixture. Add in the pepper and herbs. Mix well and chill. Makes 2 1/2 cups. Use on bagels, toast, crackers or apple slices.