It’s finally apple season – tasty treats to try

I have fond childhood memories of picking all the apples in the garden, loading them onto a big wooden crate and taking them to the cider mill. Visiting the hissing factory was a little like entering Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory – here just an apple bonanza. If you have many apples on your hands – contact a cider mill or invest in a raw juicer, which is like having your own cider mill at home.

Last year, we planted our first apple tree in our little garden, but it will be a good long while before we’ll be able to fill a crate. We’re not exactly swimming in apples. If you’re not fond of the idea of stealing apples, there are websites that can hook you up with other people’s surplus apples. So all of you with the luxury of having too many apples – advertise your apples! That way you avoid greedy looks from those of us who don’t have our own apple trees as we walk past yours sighing and green with envy. It also saves you from having to figure out what to do with all the smelly windfall.

Once the apples are acquired or picked, it’s time to get started making all the treats. Here are a few things you can whip up with this super fruit!

Applesauce

Obviously. Cook peeled and sliced apples with a little water for a few minutes. It tastes so good, you hardly need to add extra sugar or honey. Just pour into sterilised jars. It’s easiest to freeze the applesauce. That way you don’t need to add preservatives or any other such nonsense.

Apple pie

There are countless different recipes, but here’s a simple one, which generally tastes the best. Rinse the apples, slice them and place them in an ovenproof dish. Give them a sprinkle of cinnamon and perhaps a drizzle of honey. Now combine a little oatmeal, honey and some coconut oil or butter and you have a lovely crumble! You can also make a more luxurious tarte tatin which you prepare on the stove, but that is best for the weekend’s special meals!

Pancakes

Saturday morning and autumn call for American apple pancakes in Matkoma’s kitchen. Whip up a batter of spelt flour, eggs, oat milk and a little salt. Pour small spoonfuls onto a frying pan and top with thin slices of apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Cook, serve with maple syrup and a cup of coffee, and you’re set for the weekend’s adventures!

Apple rolls

Apples go well with both rye and spelt flour, and taste great with anise as well. Just grate a whole apple into the dough for a lot of flavour and plenty of fibre.

Apple salad

Make a salad with tart apples, walnuts and a little Apetina. Make a dressing of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper and drizzle over the salad!

Apple tzatziki

Use crispy apples instead of cucumber the next time you make tzatziki! Serve with grilled meat or tapas.

Smoothie

Make a smoothie by combining an apple, a little cinnamon or cardamom with some milk and a banana for a great snack. Put some apple slices on a skewer and serve in the glass for a luxurious apple smoothie!