Published On: 19 September 2024945 words4.7 min read
Published On: 19 September 2024

Apples are cultivated worldwide but they originate from the popular genus Malus, which originated from its wild growing ancestor Malus Sieversii (which can still be found growing wild) in central Asia. There are over 7500 cultivars of apples worldwide which are bred for eating raw, cooking, cider or apple juice production. A proudly South African apple product that now gets exported to over 20 countries around the world is Appletiser. This delicious sparkling apple drink was first produced in 1966 in the Elgin Valley, Western Cape by a French Italian immigrant Edmond Lombardi. You can make a version of our famous, refreshing Appletiser by mixing equal quantities of pure apple juice with carbonated water – add ice, sit back and enjoy!

With the festive season fast approaching, I have decided to share my delicious apple sauce recipe with you. It’s an ideal condiment to pork – keep reading to find this delicious, easy-as-pie recipe ☺.

What’s in it for me?

The well-known English saying ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ contains a core message! Apples are full of nutrients! They are particularly high in fibre (4,5mg per medium apple), Vitamin C which supports the immune system, the B-complex vitamins and antioxidants. These antioxidants support digestion and gut health (apples contain pectin, a soluble fibre which serves as a prebiotic feeding the good bacteria in your gut. Pectin absorbs water producing a gel like substance which helps promote regular bowl movements). There is also significant evidence that apples promote lung health, help protect against chronic illness including reducing the risk of various cancers, reducing heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol therefore lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation. Apples also promote weight management by slowing digestion so that you feel fuller after eating them and help in managing type 2 diabetes. Apples contain a unique bone building compound Phlorizin which can improve bone density and reduce bone breakdown in women after menopause.

An a-peeling reason for eating apple skin: it contains Quercetin which helps boost our immune systems and reduces inflammation, plus apple skin is full of that gut healthy fibre mentioned earlier.

“Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits.” Henry David Thoreau

In-Cider Information!

Interestingly, apples grown from seed are usually vastly different from their parent cultivars. Apple growers therefore propagate new apple trees by clonal grafting onto rootstocks to ensure transference of cultivar characteristics to new trees.

Branching Out: The Best Apple Types in SA

As a child, there were three types of apples available: Red, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. Over the years many new varieties of apples have arrived in our stores including:

  • Fuji – these apples originated in Fujisaki, Japan and are a cross between Ralls and Red Delicious. Fuji Apples are ultra-sweet with a strong, delicious apple aroma and have a crisp texture. I use these for eating raw and cooking.

  • Golden Delicious – as their name suggests, these apples start off with a light green skin which ripens into a pale yellow. They tend to be smallish in size with a mild, sweet flavour and their fruit can be slightly bouncy rather than always crisp. They are prone to bruising so it is ideal to store them separately. I use these apples for eating raw only.

  • Granny Smith – originating in Australia, these apples are named after Mrs Maria Ann Smith who discovered seedling apple trees growing in her garden. These crisp, juicy, tart apples with their bright white flesh are best used for cooking, but can also be enjoyed raw.

  • Pink Lady/Cripps – a bicolour apple with a green background and a high % of bright pink to red blush. These are some of my FAVOURITE apples! They have a pronounced tart-sweet flavour, crisp white flesh and are delicious eaten raw or used for cooking.

  • Top Red – these classic red apples have a sweet, creamy white flesh which can be disappointingly floury when sold out of season, but they do have the iconic deep red coloured skin of the kind seen in the story of “Snow White & the seven dwarves” .

  • Royal Gala – skin is whitish yellow with abundant red streaks. These crisp, juicy apples are very sweet and fragrant and are best eaten raw, they make excellent salad apples.

Let’s Hear a Round of Apple-ause!

This delicious Fresh Apple Sauce recipe is ridiculously easy to make and has the fresh, tart/sweet, full-of- goodness flavour that the bottled versions lack. I developed the recipe as a condiment to accompany my fabulous Cider Braised Pork Neck Roast, but it is delicious with pork of any kind. I hope you make this delicious recipe! Let me know if you do!

Fresh Apple Sauce

A delicious fruity accompaniment to compliment Pork.

Ingredients:

  • 2 apples (tart green apples give best results)
  • 45 ml sugar
  • 60 ml water
  • Pinch cloves
  • Large pinch cinnamon

Large microwavable dish or jug – or use a pot on the stove. Blender (I use a hand held blender)

Method:

  1. Peel and core the apples.
  2. Chop up apple into small pieces.
  3. Place chopped apple into microwaveable dish or jug (or a pot) and
    Add the sugar, water, cloves and cinnamon.
  4. Place in the microwave and cook for 3 – 5 minutes on high until
    the apple is very soft.
    If cooking in a pot, bring to the boil and cook with the lid on the pot for 10 – 15 minutes until the apple is very soft.
  5. Remove from the heat and blend until smooth.
  6. Place into a serving dish, cover well and place in fridge.
  7. Serve at room temperature with pork roast/chops.

NOTE: Any crisp apple can be used for this apple sauce (but not golden delicious). If the apples are very sweet only use 30 ml sugar and then adjust to taste once cooked.

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2 Comments

  1. Molly 15 November 2024 at 1:16 am - Reply

    This blog was… how doo you say it? Relevant!!
    Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Appreciate it! https://Evolution.Org.ua/

    • Christine - Simply Delectable 19 November 2024 at 9:44 am - Reply

      Great to hear!

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