Fall’s Favorite Fruit: Apples!

1 min

Apples are good for you, particularly when they’re fresh and organically grown. I avoid apples that have been grown with pesticides or treated with fungicides and wax, as I just want my fruit and its benefits without added chemistry. Also,I do not prefer the common grocery store Red Delicious variety that conventional growers have foisted on us for years; these are usually mealy and tasteless.

The crabapple is actually the only variety native to North America. There are thousands of varieties grown in the U.S. and throughout the world. Seek out different varieties if you have access to a good local farmer’s market. You’ll be amazed at the wide range of flavors and textures available from some of the more obscure apple varieties grown by smaller farms.

Apples usually rank among the top fruits and vegetables contaminated by pesticides in tests run by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG). When choosing apples, you’re better off buying organic ones in season from local farmers. Store them in the refrigerator to prevent them from over-ripening and to preserve flavor. And be sure to wash your apples before eating!

Try apples in this distinctively autumn-inspired soup recipe: Roasted Squash & Apple Soup

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