Posted on by Samantha Goyret

10 Ways to Celebrate Apples

During the month of September, the NWTN Local Food Network is featuring APPLES as part of the Taste of Tennessee. What better time to enjoy one of our favorite fruits? Here are 10 fun ways to celebrate apples:

1. Read an Apple Book

2. Celebrate Applesauce Day on Saturday, September 17th at the Martin Farmers Market and Martin Public Library and/or with family and friends on Sunday, September 18, 2022

Individuals, families, students and seniors are all encouraged to make applesauce using our simple recipe. Share your applesauce stories with us on facebook by tagging @NWTNLFN #APPLESAUCEDAY.

Celebrate Applesauce Day at the Martin Farmers Market on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 8am – 12 noon. On 9/17 – Register to attend the Applesauce Cooking Demonstration at the Martin Public Library at 10:30am.
Enjoy making this simple recipe with your family and friends.

3. Compare Apples to Apples

You’ve had an apple, but what kind? With thousands of kinds of apples, you might be surprised how different apples can be. They vary widely in size, color, texture, and flavor. Visit an orchard, farmer’s market, or more and more your local grocery store for a wide selection of varieties.

4. Buy local apples from a Farmers Market near you

Visit a Northwest Tennessee Farmers Market or download a copy of the NWTN Local Food Guide 2022, or check out Pick TN Products to find an apple farmer near you.

5. Give an Apple to a Teacher

The tradition of giving an apple to a teacher started in the 1700s before governments around the world paid for the education of its people. Poor families in Denmark and Sweden gave teachers baskets of apples and potatoes as payment for teaching their children. (source: www.wockenfusscandies.com/blog/the-symbol-of-teachers-apples)

6. Enjoy a simple apple snack

While apples feature in many fine desserts and other dishes, they also shine in simple snacks. Try apple slices:

7. Learn about Johnny Appleseed

You can explore the legend or the history of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Try these books:

8. Make apple prints

Slice an apple in half or cut out the core and slice off the bottom. Dip the cut side lightly in the paint. Use the apple like a stamp to make prints on your paper.

9. Jumping Apple seeds!

This activity is so neat! All you need to do is fill a cup with water, add apple seeds, and place Alka Seltzer tables in the cup. Watch the seeds jump around! They will move for about ten minutes. If you want to watch them jump again, just place another tablet in the water! Kids LOVE this activity. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/mBi2VM6KLCs

10. Host an apple feast

Serve all kinds of dishes with apples. Use one of these ideas or your favorite apple dish below or find your favorite dish here:

  • Apple Muffins
  • Applesauce cake
  • Apple pancakes
  • Grilled cheese and apple sandwiches
  • Waldorf salad
  • Curried squash and apple soup
  • Applebutter pork
  • Stuffed baked apples
  • Apple cider (cold or hot and spiced)
  • Apple pie
  • Apple crisp

September may be the Taste of Tennessee apple month, but many types of apples store well so you can enjoy apples for months to come. With so many ways to use apples, the old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” can be rewritten as “An apple a day keeps boredom away.”

~ Samantha Goyret
LFN Team Blogger