Fall is here and it is a great time to enjoy some of our Northeastern Pennsylvanian apples. For our history buffs, here is a short summary of how apples arrived here in Pennsylvania. Historical records from the Massachusetts Bay Company indicate that apples started to grow in parts of New England as early as 1630. Soon, apple growing spread to all parts of America, due largely in part to an apple seed farmer named John Chapman. Known in fairy tales as Johnny Appleseed, John Chapman distributed seeds to European settlers of Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana in the 1800’s. The tale of Johnny Appleseed describes him as wearing ragged clothes and a tin pot over his head...I guess in case he gets hit by an apple! Today, the apple is ranked as America’s favorite fruit, and the United States produces over 2,500 varieties of apples.

If you are like I am, sometimes it is tough to know which variety of apple to purchase. It is best to first, think of how your want to enjoy your apple. Would you like to eat it fresh, baked, in a pie or in making applesauce? Next, find out which varieties are best for how you want to enjoy your apple. Here is great guide to clip out and save for future reference:

To enjoy your apple fresh choose these varieties: McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Stayman Winesap.

To make applesauce choose these varieties: Golden Delicious, Yellow Transparent, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Grimes Golden, Stayman Winesap, Rome Beauty.

If you want to make applesauce to store in your freezer, choose these varieties: Yellow Transparent, Cortland, McIntosh.

If you want to make a pie choose these varieties: Cortland, Jonathan, Rome Beauty, Yellow Transparent, McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Stayman Winesap.

To bake apples choose these varieties: Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Stayman Winesap, Rome Beauty, McIntosh, Cortland.

An apple fits in most anyone’s diet. A medium-size apple has: fiber, nearly 20% of what you need each day; vitamins including C and beta carotene (if you leave the peel on); minerals including potassium and only 80 calories, 21 grams of carbohydrates.

If you have diabetes, a medium apple would count as 1 and � fruit exchange.

Here is an easy to make salad packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Apple-Carrot Salad

3 c. diced apples

1/3 c. salad dressing or low fat mayonnaise

1 large carrot, shredded

1/3 c. raisins

1 T. lemon juice

Combine ingredients and mix well. Makes 8 servings. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if desired. To reduce the calories, just sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of raisins over the salad.

Penn State Cooperative Extension is offering a class, “Dining with Diabetes: A Program for Adults with Diabetes and their Families,” which offers nutritional suggestions to help those with diabetes control their disease. In addition, the class emphasizes the importance of the A1C, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol and will offer testing for these specific health measures. For more information call 825-1701.

About the Author

Mary R. Ehret, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., is with Penn State Cooperative Extension, Luzerne County, 16 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, Pa., 18643. (570) 825-1701/602-0600. Fax (570) 825-1709. mre2@psu.edu.

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