October is National Apple Month

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (October 30, 2017) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s EFNEP Program (Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program) would like to announce that October is National Apple Month.

Nothing says it is fall in Western New York more than the fresh, local apples being sold at farmers’ markets, farm stands and in the supermarket. Many orchards allow families to pick their own apples, which is a great way to spend a sunny, crisp weekend day together. To find U-Pick locations, visit http://www.nyapplecountry.com/pick.php.

Research shows that apples have lots of health benefits. Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C and pectin, soluble fiber that can help lower your cholesterol. Apples make a great, on-the-go snack and are a great ‘fast food’ – just wash and eat! Try adding raw apples to salads and sandwiches, dipping slices in peanut butter for a healthy snack or cooking apples to make your own, fresh applesauce. For an easy and quick apple recipe try making:

Microwave Baked Apples

Serving Size: 1 Apple Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

4 large baking apples (like Crispin, Cortland, Empire or Jonagold)

2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Wash apples and remove core.

2. Cut a thin slice off bottom of each apple to form a flat surface. Place apples in a microwave safe baking dish.

3. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small dish. Spoon mixture into center of apples.

4. Cover apples with waxed paper and microwave on high power 6 to 10 minutes or until apples are soft.

Source: Adapted from Kids a Cookin’ Kansas Family Nutrition Program http://www.kidsacookin.ksu.edu/ Nutrition Facts: Serving Size – 1 apple, 140 Calories, 0 Calories from Fat, 0g Total Fat, 0% Calories from Fat, 0g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 0mg Cholesterol, 0mg Sodium, 37g Total Carbohydrate, 6g Dietary Fiber, 1g Protein, 29g Sugars, 2% Vitamin A, 2% Calcium, 15% Vitamin C, 2% Iron

For more information please contact Expanded Food and Nutrition Classes are being offered in the North part of Chautauqua County which includes Dunkirk and surrounding areas and in the South County, which includes Jamestown and surrounding areas. Feel free to call either Else Alonge or Iris Ruiz at Cornell Cooperative Extensions at 664-9502. You can also reach Alonge

by e-mail at eaa68@cornell.edu or Ruiz by e-mail at izr3@cornell.edu visit our website at www.cce.edu/chautauqua. Cornell Cooperative Extensions provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated October 30, 2017