Harvest of the Month: Apples
If you think of Johnny Appleseed (aka, John Chapman) every time you bite into a sweet, shiny apple, think again.
In the early 1800s, when Chapman was scattering seeds, apples weren’t tasty for eating (many were known as “spitters,” because they were so sour you’d spit them out), but they were good for making hard cider, which was consumed widely in those days.
What’s more, Chapman planted the trees with something other than fruit in mind: real estate. In those days, planting orchards allowed him to lay claim to unclaimed land, which Chapman did as a business.
That doesn’t mean Chapman wasn’t the kinds, altruistic soul often depicted in stories. He was known to give land away, or trade it for items well below its value.
Is also doesn’t mean that the apple you enjoy raw or baked can’t be attributed to Chapman’s work. Over time, some of the orchards he planted evolved to bear tastier fruits. Now there are some 2,500 varieties of apple trees in the U.S., which means you have a lot of decisions to make.
When choosing the apple of your eye, look for ones that are relatively smooth and free of obvious cuts, bruises or soft spots. And know that apples can have a remarkably long shelf life: If kept cool and damage-free, they’ll last for months.
Try the Apple, Sweet Potato and Sausage Casserole!
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Tags: apples, harvest of the month, Johnny Appleseed