Kids Zone: Apples, Apples and more Apples

Thursday, 19 September 2024 08:00

By Sara Whatley

This month Sara Whatley and her family have gone mad for apples

We eat a LOT of apples in our house – grated into bircher museli, sliced as an after-school snack, or grabbed straight from the fruit bowl to munch on wherever you go. So when the UK’s apple season comes along, we rejoice!

The majority of British apples are in season from September, with some varieties stretching right through until spring. And this year Apple
Day falls on Saturday 21st October and is a perfect opportunity to spend the day as a family celebrating all things apple.

You could visit a local orchard and pick your own, then take them home and cook up a storm in the kitchen with apple pies, apple sauce, and squash and apple soup. Or how about sampling some lovely local cider – for the adults of course...

Apples are such a wonderful versatile fruit, enhancing both sweet and savoury dishes in equal measure. Here are some ideas for very quick and easy apple snacks for children to enjoy. They can prepare these recipes with just a little help from an adult and let their creative juices flow in the kitchen.

BAKED APPLE THINS

Take a whole apple and slice it into very thin rounds, or if this is too tricky cut it in half and then slice. You can core the apple first if you like, but my children love the beautiful star shape in the middle of the round.

Spread it out on a parchment covered baking tray, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake in a very low oven for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the apple. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning!

APPLE MESS

Slice an apple (or two) into thin wedges and arrange on a plate. Then drizzle over some sauce and sprinkle with some toppings. Ta da! Sauces can include peanut butter, honey or golden syrup, chocolate sauce. Toppings could include raisins, chocolate chips, nuts and seeds, hundreds and thousands, broken biscuits or crackers

APPLE COLESLAW

Grate an apple and a large carrot. Chop a stick of celery, and dice approximately 1/3 of a red cabbage (or add in or substitute other vegetables as desired). Mix together in a large bowl with mayonnaise if desired, or dress with a mix of olive oil, cider vinegar, honey, and salt.

LAYERED APPLE JARS

Take a small glass jar or sturdy drinking glass and layer grated apple, blackberries, granola, and top with yogurt. Little ones will love seeing the layers mix together as they eat their way down the glass. This makes a delicious breakfast and can be made and refrigerated the night before.

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Kids Zone: Apples, Apples and more Apples

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