As temperatures drop and leaves start to brown, Berks County begins to prepare for a fall season full of fun for the whole family. Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t the only autumn staple you should be getting excited about. Crisp apples from local orchards are just waiting to be picked from lush trees all around the Greater Reading region. Now is the perfect time to experiment with new apple recipes.
As many local farmers host “pick your own” apple events throughout the season, there are so many recipes waiting to be made in kitchens across the county. Here are 4 “pick your own apple” recipes to try this fall.
Apple Pie Filling
This apple pie filling is a great, freezable fall recipe you can keep in your freezer for all of your apple-related emergencies. Whip this out at your next gathering and impress all of your apple recipe-loving friends and family members.
What you’ll need: 6-7 apples, ¾ cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, 1.8 teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of butter.
How to make it: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Put filling into a large freezer bag to freeze for later. Be sure to remove any excess air before sealing the bag. When you’re ready, place the thawed filling in your crust or crumble of choice, coat with butter, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes.
Apple Butter
Apple butter is perfect for the fall season to spread over toast and biscuits, and can even be used to marinate meats like pork and chicken. This apple recipe is an easy make for anyone with a slower cooker and apples to spare.
What you’ll need: slow cooker, apples of choice, apple cider, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and kosher salt
How to make it: Combine 6 lbs of your local PA apples and ½ cup of cider in your slow cooker. In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup of brown sugar and ¼ teaspoon of each spice and salt. Toss your apples with this mixture and cook covered on high heat for 6 hours. Blend the cooked apples until smooth and continue cooking uncovered for 2 more hours. Store in an air-tight container once cooled.
Apple and Sweet Potato Skillet Dish
If you’re looking for something more savory to make with your hand-picked apples, try Weaver’s Orchard’s Apple and Sweet Potato Skillet Dish. This easy and versatile apple recipe is perfect for when you’re hungry and need something fast.
What you’ll need: skillet, sweet potato, sweet apple, yellow onion, chicken sausage, eggs
How to make it: Chop and roast 1 sweet potato and ½ yellow onion for 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large skillet, fry your chicken sausage and eggs. Toss in the potatoes, onion, and apples and mix, or serve with the eggs on top.
Applesauce
Everyone loves applesauce. It’s simple to make and can be customized to your preference of tart or sweetness. If this sounds like something you’d like to try, check out this applesauce recipe from Brecknock Orchard.
What you’ll need: kettle, apples, water, sugar
How to make it: Wash and core your apples of choice. Use a blend of 75% sweet and 25% tart apples for sweet and rich applesauce. Flip the ratio to 75% tart and 25% sweet for a smooth and tart sauce. Fill your kettle with water up to 1 inch from the bottom, and fill the rest with apples. Cook on medium to high heat and stir frequently until tender. Blend the cooked apples to your desired texture and season to taste with sugar.
This fall, get your apples and other produce from local, Berks County farms. Berks County Commissioners and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance brought you Rebuild Berks as a way to support the community. Contact us today to learn how you can help us work together and rebuild Berks.
