Apples From New York™ are in season, and in the store! One of our favorite Home.grown crops, New York Apples are a quick snack, or a culinary chameleon – so versatile and easy to enjoy! Making your way through a bag or tote of New York apples is a smart way to add flavor, fiber, crunch and nutrition benefits to every meal and snack. Check out this fun recipe roundup that will make you look forward to that apple-a-day in some new ways!

New York apple agriculture is very important – New York is second in the USA for apple production. The farm families that grow apples are multi-generational stewards that carefully nurture the land and trees, to ensure you get delicious, nutritious fruit for your family meals. September is #FamilyMealsMonth, no better time to explore new ways to eat well as a family, and add some new meal and snack ideas if you are navigating new school routines and need some inspiration.

Home schooling? Use the website resources and crunch on apples as you learn about farming, local foods, cooking, history, agriculture, science, and nutrition – children of all ages will love these lessons!

Store smart – keep apples crunchy and fresh by storing in the refrigerator or a cool, dry space. Wash apples before using for recipes or snacks by rubbing skins briskly under cool running water.

Apple-palooza!

1. Simple snack – grab that apple for a mid-morning crunch or afternoon munch.
2. Slice and serve – apple slices are a super snack, and easy with an apple slicer. Pack them fresh with a squeeze of lemon to keep them from browning, dip into PICS Peanut Butter or dust with cinnamon for a fresh twist.
3. Breakfast boost – grated fresh apples are a quick and easy addition to overnight oats recipes, PICS yogurt parfait (vanilla/apple/walnuts/yum!) – love them on my PICS Shredded Wheat cereal with milk!
4. Salad savvy – Chopped apples are a great addition to salads, including many of the fresh salad kits in the store. Try any one of your favorite apple varieties with Fresh Express Poppyseed, Sweet Kale or Honey Pecan salads. Some PICS Cheddar Cubes or pulled Market 32 Rotisserie Chicken make the meal in just a minute!
5. Sandwich smart – PICS Flour tortillas/pita or your favorite Market 32 Bakery bread are a great base for a ham or turkey/apple/cheddar quesadilla or panini. Pulled pork with grated apple or a side of apple coleslaw with pecans are fresh takes on old favorites. Or, try your new favorite Chicken Apple Kale Slaw Wrap.
6. Snack attack – No-bake apple “donuts” will win the day and sneak some nutrition into afternoon snacks. Peel and core two apples, then slice into rings. Spread peanut or almond butter (you can call it icing, we won’t tell!) on one side of the ring, and top with crushed cinnamon cereal, nuts, pretzels or even sprinkles.
7. Sweet and savory – New York apples will help you make quick dinner magic with some fresh takes on sheet pan and skillet meals. Each meal below serves 4.
   1. Apple Panko Skillet Chicken – (4) Market 32 Apple Panko Chicken Cutlets, made fresh in the Meat Department, sautéed in PICS Olive Oil until done (160F) – pair them up with a quick New York apple and onion sauté and a warm fresh Bakery cornbread muffin.
   2. Apple Sheet Pan Dinner – Chop (2) New York apples, (2 small) yellow onions, and (2 medium white or yellow) potatoes in a one- inch dice. Add 1 bag (fresh or frozen) Brussels sprouts and place on an oiled sheet pan with (about 1 Lb.) Market 32 Chicken Tenders or Skinless Thighs, OR Market 32 Sweet Chicken or Italian Sausage, OR cubed pork tenderloin. Roast at 400F for about 30 minutes, or until meat is done (160 F) and vegetables are tender and caramelized. If using sausage, be sure to turn them once during cooking.

Apple Cider Chicken and Cabbage – Place aluminum foil in a sheet or roasting pan, oil lightly with PICS Olive Oil or vegetable oil spray. Lay about 1 Lb. of Market 32 Skinless Chicken Breasts in the center. Surround with (3-4) peeled, chopped New York apples. Roast for 25 minutes at 350F, then baste with ½ cup of New York Apple Cider mixed with 1 tsp PICS Dijon Mustard. Roast for an additional 10 minutes, until chicken is 145F and apples are tender. Serve with warm Market 32 Bakery rolls and sautéed fresh cabbage.