Apples Made
Easy
by Nikki Willhite
www.allthingsfrugal.com
There is always some type of apple in
season and found in the grocery store. There are red apples, yellow apples,
green apples, and apples that look like they can't make up their mind.
Apples are economical.. and they are
good for you. There is nothing easier than just picking up an apple and
eating it. However, what about the kind of apples you bake with? what a
pain! First you have to take off the skin, then you have to core it, and
then cut it into all those perfectly shaped pie wedges.
If you are a busy homemaker, you may
be tempted not to cook with apples. However, there is a way to make it
easier. You can buy a handy little gadget called an Apple Peeler. All you
have to do is poke your apple on the steel bar, turn the handle, and this
little gadget takes off the skin, while cutting it into perfect little wedge
shaped pieces- leaving the core on the bar to be pulled off and discarded.
It's a great time saver, and
inexpensive. You will save money with it, because you will eat more
apples. You will, however, need something to anchor it to. If you don't have
a suitable counter overhang in your kitchen, you can buy something like I
did- a cutting board that sits high enough on the counter that there is room
for the vise-like mechanism that anchors it to hang down.
Apple Basics
Basically, there is just one major
distinction between apples. Do you cook with them, or can you eat them
plain? Some apples work both ways, but some should only be used one way.
Color and texture variations are not as significant, except that some apples
have a firmer texture and store and cook better.
Here is a list of the most common
varieties, and how to use them.
Red Delicious-these big red apples are probably the best known, and best for putting in a
lunch pail (rather than cooked).
Golden Delicious-
these apples are yellow. They are sweet, but also cook well.
Granny Smith
- These green apples are best known to be a superior
apple when baked. They can be eaten raw, but are somewhat tart.
McIntosh
- red apples, can be used both ways, but again, they are somewhat tart.
Jonathan
- eat or bake with them. Makes good applesauce. This one does not store
well.