Apples for Fall: Johnny Chapman* would be proud
From the Fall issue of 7Bends of the Shenandoah Valley magazine…
Mount Jackson, VA – The Shenandoah Valley is known for its wonderful apples – and apple recipes.
Did you know that Virginia ranks sixth among the nation’s apple producing states. There are over 250 growers in Virginia, utilizing some 18,000 acres of land. Orchards can be found in the rich countryside of Albemarle and Rappahannock counties; the mountainous region of the northern Shenandoah Valley; in Roanoke Valley; and in the southwestern counties of Patrick and Carroll.
Virgina apples are exported to markets in over two dozen states and twenty countries. Much of the state’s crop is also sold for processing, and made into products such as apple juice, apple butter, applesauce, and the ever-popular apple cider. Production is concentrated in the northwest part of the state, with about half of the state’s total crop coming from Frederick County, near Winchester, Virginia.
One of the oldest and largest apple processors in the Valley is Bowman Apple Products Company in Mount Jackson, Virginia. They carry and ship Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Stayman, Rome, York, Jonathan, Gala, Ginger Gold, Fuji, and Granny Smith apples – under the trade names of Turkey Knob, Old Virginia, and Pick of Virginia. They are located at 10119 Old Valley Pike. Call: (540) 477-3111.
Straight from Appleland, here are a few of our favorite Fall apple recipes:
Apple Crisp
From Civil Cricket Cafe, 7868 Main Street in Middletown, Virginia
Call: (540) 868-0919
Visit: civilcricket.com
Thinly slice either York or Granny Smith apples.
(Make sure to put sliced apples in lemon juice and water)
Add:
1/2 cup Brown Sugar and prepared apples
Add:
3 T. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1 T. Apple Jack Brandy
1/4 to 1/2 cups of apple juice
Cook and let reduce until only about 1/4 cup of liquid is left and the apples are soft.
Butter a casserole dish. Add cooked apple.
Topping:
Approximately 2 Cups quick oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup butter or oleo, melted
1/8 tsp salt
2 T. cinnamon
Mix topping ingredients together and put on top of apples. Bake at 400 degrees for
about 10 to 15 minutes.
Creamy Apple Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
9 oz. softened cream cheese
3 T. finely mince onion
2 T. finely minced parsley
1 T. prepared yellow mustard
1 finely chopped apple
Place ingredients in food processor until blended.
Add:
2 T. cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 cup canola oil
Pulse the remaining mixture until blended. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Apple Delight Pie
From Mae New – New Delights, a specialty dessert baker
258 West King Street in Strasburg, Virginia
9″ double pastry crust, prepared and rolled.
6 to 8 medium Granny Smith Apples, peeled and sliced.
Sauce:
2 T. corn starch
2 tsps cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
6 T. melted margarine
2/3 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 T. lemon juice
Topping:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup choppws pecans
6 tableslpoon flour
6 T. light corn syrup
4 T. softend margarine
Preheat oven to 495 degrees. Place bottom crust in large deep dish pan. Fill bottom crust with sliced apples. Combine ingredients in sauce mixture and pour over apples. Combine ingredients for topping mixture and put 1/2 cup of topping on top of the apples and sauce mixture. Cover with top crust, making several slits for steam.
Place wax paper on a sheet pan and place pie on wax paper. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and juices are bubbling.
Remove from oven and spread the remaining topping mixture over the pie. Be careful not to break the crust. Return the pie to oven for 10 minutes more until topping is bubbling.
Make sure not to overcook, or the nuts could burn. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting.
*Note: Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman (September 26, 1774 – February 18, 1845). He was an American pioneer nurseryman who became an American legend, largely because of his kind and generous ways, his great leadership in conservation, and the symbolic importance of apples.
While you’re in the Valley, don’t miss the Johnny Appleseed Restaurant and Gift Shop in New Market, Virginia. It’s located at 162 West Old Cross Road. You can see it from the New Market exit off I-81. Call (540) 896-9700.
Watch for more information about people that make apple butter in the Shenandoah Valley. Stay tuned into 7Bends.com this week.
Hiya, I really enjoyed this post. I’m starting up a site and making somewhat varied articles for it. Do you object if I write something about this article? I will of course provide you and this site due acknowledgment and add a link to this page , thank you.
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ED: Hi yourself Lilia,
We are always open to others doing derivative works from our content. The general rule of thumb is no more than one paragraph and 2-3 direct quotes, with acknowledgment. In other words, just tell um where ya got it. We are grateful for links back in whatever form, either direct, ping-back, re-direct, etc. I’ll take a better look at your site later and perhaps have a question or two for you, as well.
Cheers,
Ed.