Who doesn't love PIE!?!

Today we aren't really talking about pies in general.  We've already done that in a previous post.  Here it is if you would like to know more about pies.  

What we are talking about today is apple pie, specifically.  It is apple season, after all.  And there are so many apples to choose from whether you are craving a tart crunch or a sweet crunch.  Maybe you are making your favorite apple strudel or a lovely baked apple with caramel sauce.  Fall is the time of the year to truly appreciate and celebrate this most popular fruit.  So let's begin.

No doubt, you have heard the expression "as American as apple pie."  But did you know that crab apples are the only apples native to the United States?  They are considered wild apples and Native Americans cultivated apples extensively, although you can find wild apples in many other countries.  In fact, the crab apple is considered the ancestor of many varieties of apples grown today around the world.  

There are over 10,000 varieties of apples.  Here's a site that will break down the varieties alphabetically for you.  Apples are a member of the rose family.  And if you look at apple blossoms you will see that they are very similar to wild rose blossoms. 

The word apples comes from the Old English word "aeppel."  Apple remnants have been found by archaeologists in Switzerland dating back to the Iron Age, around 800 BC.  There is also evidence that, in the Stone Age, apples where preserved  by drying them.  And as early as 20,000 years ago, in the countries of China and Egypt, humans understood the art of grafting fruit trees, including apple trees. 

Crab Apples

Interestingly enough, crab apple trees in the early days produced very few apples.  The reason is that there weren't any honey bees.  Turns out that the colonist brought those along with them, as well and apple seedlings and seeds.  The first shipment of honey bees arrived in Virginia in 1622.  The natives called the bees, "English flies." 

So how do we get from the stone age to apple pie being a symbol of America?  During World War II, American soldiers, when asked what they were fighting for would often say, "for Mom and Apple Pie.  That was a very common catch phrase.  In short order, that phrase morphed into "as American as Mom and Apple Pie.  And by the 60's, the expression became "as American as Apple Pie."  We don't know what happened to "Mom."

So even though the first apple orchard in the United States was planted in Massachusetts in 1625, it wasn't till the 20 Century that apple pie took its place in American's patriotic hearts.

If you are wondering how it is that apples got from the east coast all the way to the west coasts, let your wondering stop.  We can thank a man who we will call "Johnny Appleseed." Yes, there really was a Johnny Appleseed.  His real name was John Chapmen (1774-1845). He was born in Massachusetts and his dream was that the land produce so many apples that no one would go hungry.  

John traveled all over the new territories leasing land and developing nurseries.  He would collect apple seeds from cider mills, dry them, and put them in small bags.  He then would give them to people who were heading west.  He also made it his business to build nurseries that grew other fruit as well as vegetables and herbs.  John had a reputation for eccentricity and was completely dedicated to his mission to grow apples.

Johnny Appleseed died at the age of 70; he is buried in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He spent 50 years growing apple trees and traveling to spread his precious trees around the country so that people could enjoy apples. In 1966, the US Postal Service designed a 5 cent stamp honoring Johnny Appleseed. 

Long before Johnny Appleseed and even before the first European apple seeds were planted in Massachusetts, there was recorded the expression, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away."  Only that wasn't the exact wording.  In February 1866, in a Welch magazine, it was written,  "A Pembrokeshire proverb:  Eat an apple on going to bed. And you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread."   Who ever said it first made a great point.  Here are some of the benefits to eating an apple a day:

1. Phtyto-nutrients and anti-oxidants for optimal growth, development and overall wellness.
2. Low in calories, but contain no saturated fats or cholesterol.  They are rich in dietary fiber, which helps prevent absorption of LDL or bad cholesterol.  
3. High amount of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, both develop resistance against infectious agents in the body.
4. A good source of B-complex such as riboflavin, thiamin, and pyridoxine.  These vitamins help metabolism.
5. Small amounts of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Now that we know the history of the apple, let's get down to the business of what to do with them.  There are a zillion ways to eat apples.  Just this morning I ate a fresh Honey Crisp with chunky peanut butter...yummy.  They can be baked, sauced, dried, tossed in a fruit salad, made into apple butter, made into a crisp, carameled, juiced, you name it.  But we are not here today for any of those ideas.  We are all about the pie.  

So today we offer you a classic recipe for apple pie....the 2 Prickly Pears version of Dutch Apple Pie.  Most apples pies have a double crust.  A Dutch Apple Pie has a single crust and is topped with a streusel-like mixture.  

When choosing which apples will make the best pie, there is a general understanding that Granny Smith is the best.  The reason for this is because it is a tart and firm apple.  The tartness pairs well with the sugar that is added to the filling.  The firmness means that the apple won't fall apart while baking.  Having said that, there are a variety of apples that work well in pie making.  Braeburn apples are tart, with a wonderful flavor and are firm enough to stand up to baking.  In this recipe, I used 4 Granny Smith and 2 Honey Crisp.  I like the combination of sweet and tart.  Feel free to use whatever combination you like.  

Dutch Apple Pie.

What you need:

1, 9" pie crust (see link above)

1 egg white thoroughly beaten

Filling:

5 cups apples, peeled and cored

3 Tablespoons flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

2 Tablespoons butter

Topping:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup butter

What you need to do:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Brush pie crust all over with beaten egg white and set aside.

Place sliced apples in large bowl.  In another bowl mix the 3 T flour, sugar, 1 T cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.  Add mixture to apples.  Toss until apples are evenly coated.

Place apple mixture in pie crust.  Cover losely with aluminum foil.  Bake for 10 minutes.

While filling is basking, make the Streusel Topping by combining 3/4 cup flour, 12/teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats in food processor.  Pulse until mixture is crumbly.

Remove pie from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.  

Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake pie for an additional 45-55 minutes until streusel is brown and apples are tender.  Losely cover with aluminum foil to prevent to much browning.

Cool on wire rack.  ENJOY!

It is apple season and fall is in the air.  Find an apple orchard and pick your own fresh apples. Bring them home and make an apple pie.  There's nothing like it!

Now go out and make something good.