Fresh Fall Apples

About three weeks ago, some friends and I trekked out to the suburbs to go apple picking! This was my third annual trip and I really like the fall tradition we have going. Though the first year when we went, I was actually surprised that you got to pick the apples right off the tree. I thought it was more about visiting the farm/orchard and then buying a bag to take home.

I now depend on these trips to get a nice crop of apples to munch on and cook with in the fall. So, this year, I picked 14.5 pounds! But aren't they gorgeous.

I finally got around to making something with my apples and made dumplings. I'd never made apple dumplings before and the recipe looked simple enough. I thought these would end up looking pretty sloppy because I didn't fold the pastry as nicely as I should have, but once the dough browns, they looked great.

Taste wise, I didn't love them. I think the filling was too simple. It was just cinnamon and sugar dropped into a peeled, cored apple. I think if I try these again, I'd add a little butter and maybe some nuts and brown sugar too.

Until then, I'm enjoying an apple a day and some homemade applesauce.