I hope that you love apples…if you don’t, this is an attempt to convert you, unless you are allergic.  In our fast pace lives, it is often difficult to find time to get in our daily nutrients.  Chips and candies always seem so much easier to access.  To help combat this strong urge, one option is to pre-plan and pick up a few apples at the grocery store to help get you through the week. Apples are a great source of fiber.  One medium apple, containing only 80 calories will give you 1/5 of the daily requirement of fiber.  In addition to fiber, apples really are a great daily snack. With their high content of complex carbohydrates, they are sure to provide you with lasting energy to help you get through the day.

There are also some great ways to enjoy your daily dose of doctor repellent.  During apple season, WholeFoods will often carry a wide variety of freshly picked apples.  Their wide selection will allow you to get adventurous and try different types of apples every now and then.  Another option is to go to one of the farmers’ markets in the DC area all of which are open on Saturdays.

Two of the farmers’ markets that are now open right in DC include; The Adams Morgan Farmers’ Market (open until December) and the Anacostia Farmers’ market (open until November).  To find out the details of their operation just type their names into the Google search engine.  If you are in the DC area and want to go pick apples you will have to venture out to Virginia or Maryland in order to find an apple orchard as well.  One event I really miss about my hometown in NY is apple picking.  If you still want the products that are at apple farms, such as; apple fritters, apple butter or (my favorite) apple pie, you may have to seek them out at farmers’ markets or grocery stores.  There is some hope, however, for those that want to make their own apple treat in their home or dorm.

One secret that I learned is how to make apple fritters (without the official “apple fritter mix” from the apple orchards).  In order to make these tasty delights with limited resources, try out the following recipe.

Ingredients

Pancake mix (bisquick or any other dry pancake mix)

2 apples peeled

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Oil to fry (enough to cover the pan 1/4 of an inch full of oil)

1. Follow the directions on your pancake mix as if you are making pancakes (usually 1 cup of mix added to 3/4 cup water), slice the apples into 1/4 inch slices, and cover them in flour so that the pancake mix will stick.

2. Dip the sliced apples into the pancake mix and place into frying pan of oil

3. Cook until one side is golden brown (about 3 minutes) and then turn over on the other side.

4. Take out the finished fritters and place them on a paper towel so that they may drain.

5. Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl

6. Dip the fritters in the sugar and cinnamon mix or if you prefer confectionary sugar.

Recipe from Grandma Daniels

Bon appetit!