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Vegetables and Fruit...The Invite Us Along! Campaign |
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Did you know?
Apples, are a fruit that can be bought fresh at anytime of the year! September to November is the peak season for many types of apples in Ontario. That is the time of the year when most of the local farmers pick the apples.
Apples usually have a crisp white flesh and the skin colour can vary from yellow to green to red. There are over 100 different types of apples grown in North America. Some of the most popular ones include McIntosh, Red Delicious, Empire, Cortland, Granny Smith, Spartan, Golden Delicious, and Northern Spy.
About two-thirds of the apples grown are eaten as fresh fruit, the other one-third are made into fresh and frozen apple juice, applesauce, cider and vinegar.
Apples are low in calories and are a good source of fibre and vitamin C. Apples have a type of fiber called pectin, which helps to reduce blood cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. The skin of the apple contains a type of fibre called cellulose, which helps to prevent constipation. Apples also contain phytochemicals that are associated with reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cooking reduces some of the nutritional benefits, so eating apples fresh is best!
Buying
- September to November is the peak season for many types of apples in Ontario, but apples can be purchased fresh anytime of the year.
- Choose firm, bright coloured fruit, free of bruises and soft spots
Storing
- Store apples in their original plastic bag in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to one month.
- Remove any fruit that are overripe or have soft spots from the storage area as apples give off ethylene gas which, will cause nearby fruit and vegetables (eg. carrots, bananas, kiwi) to ripen too quickly and spoil.
- Apples that are over ripe or bruised can be used by first cutting off the soft spots and using them for applesauce, apple pies, crumble or other baked goods.
Preparing
- Wash apples well to remove the protective wax that coats them. The wax is not harmful, but may take away from the flavour.
- To freeze apples for later use, Foodland Ontario recommends this method: to freeze for pie fillings and sauces, sprinkle 1L (4 cups) of peeled, sliced apples with 1ml (1/4 tsp) ascorbic acid powder and 50 ml (1/4 cup) cold water. Turn gently to coat fruit on all sides. Toss with 50ml (1/4 cup) granulated sugar. Pack, label and freeze for up to 1 year. Before using, frozen apple slices should be thawed for one hour or so.
Serving
- For a nutritious, high fibre, low fat snack... wash and buff dry. Enjoy an apple as nature provides it!
- Slice apples length-wise and eat with a fruit dip.
- Add apples to salads or on sandwiches for a flavourful treat.
- You can cook with apples in many ways, bake apples in pies, crisps, muffins...use your imagination!
- Have an apple juice packed in your bag to take along with you.
- Use apple juice in recipes as an alcohol-free substitute for wine.
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