The Crunch of a Freshly Picked Apple, the Delight of a Child

Yesterday was our kick-off event for J-Kids of Northeast Connecticut.  Threatening clouds in the morning and torrential rain the day before in no way subdued enthusiasm for apple-picking at a bucolic orchard nearby.  The exhileration reminded me of our ritual autumn pilgrimages to our own orchard on the farm that I grew up on in upstate New York where my brothers would climb trees and toss apples down to me.  This time it was much younger hands reaching for low-lying McIntoshes to toss in their own bags.  The speed with which these youngsters filled their bags surprised me and we were done picking nearly 20 pounds of apples in no time! 







Lists of favorite things to do with apples soon enveloped our space : just eat 'em, apple crisp, apple cake, apple pie, dipped in honey!  We settled onto a nearby blanket to dip apple slices in honey and explore the tastes of the different kinds of honey brought along to help us prepare for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday.  My puppet friend, Yanshuf (Hebrew for 'owl') and I lead a "rousing" rendition of an Apples and Honey song wishing each other a sweet and good New Year!  The clear late afternoon sky, the shade of nearby fruit trees, and the warmth of the sun were superb catalysts for young families connecting and reconnecting.  Surely the sweetness of the coming year has begun in earnest! 

Shanah Tovah!!
 

Recipe: Greek Apple Cake (thanks Sue S.) who says that it is also known as Jewish Apple Cake - Go Figure!  All I know is that it is absolutely delish...

Greek or Perhaps Jewish Apple Cake!!

5 McIntosh or Cortland Apples
1/2 C sugar
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon

Pare apples and coat with cinnamon.
__________
3 C flour                                              1  C veg oil
2 C sugar                                             1/3 C orange juice                              
1 tsp baking soda                                2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 beaten eggs

Blend in electric mixer on low speed and then on medium for 4 minutes. Grease a 10 inch tube pan.  Fill with layers of batter and apples: Batter –Apples-Batter-Apples-Batter.  Bake at 350° for 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours.