family fun
Fun With a Fall Favorite
APPLES! By Jennifer Halter
S
ummer is coming to an end this month, and that can be bittersweet. But with cooler temperatures comes the time to harvest one of our family's favorite seasonal fruits ... apples! From recipes to crafts, there are so many opportunities for your family to have fun enjoying this fall treat. Here are some of our favorites.
Homemade Applesauce
This is a favorite recipe because it's so easy. It makes the entire house smell amazing because it's slow cooked in the crockpot! You will need: • 12 apples of your choice (We use Golden Delicious.) • ½ cup of sugar • ½ cup of water • ½ teaspoon of cinnamon (You can add a bit more, if you prefer.) • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice Wash, peel and core your apples. Once peeled, cut the apples into quarters. Place them in your crockpot and add the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir to coat the apples with these ingredients. Once coated well, spread the apples into an even layer before pouring in the water.
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September 2020 prince william living
Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until the apples are completely softened. For a chunkier style sauce, use a potato masher or spoon to mix the sauce to the desired consistency. For a smoother style, you can use a food processor, or even your blender. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Tip: Add in other fruits to your applesauce for fun flavor combinations. Try pureed pumpkin, strawberries or blueberries!
Apple Exploration
What better way to learn all about apples than to actually explore them? This is a fun activity for all ages. First, get a variety of apples with varying colors and flavors. Wash your apples and make sure that everyone washes their hands, as touching the apples will be a part of your exploration. Have children describe each apple and talk about the different colors, sizes and shapes. Have them hold the apples to determine which is the heaviest and which is the lightest. You can even put the apples in order by color/shade. Next, cut each apple in half. Have children identify the parts of the apple, such as the seeds inside, the stem and the skin. Let them smell the apples and make a (continues on page 26)
