Do you know how versatile apples are? You can eat them fresh, bake them, or blend them with other ingredients. Are you just letting them sit in your fruit bowl until they rot? Don't waste this nutritious star of fruits. We will tell you some amazing and unique things you can make using apples.
If you ask 50 people about their favorite fruit, most will say apples. They love apples because they are sweet, crisp, and juicy. Apples are also healthy, and full of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Their bright colors make them look like the jewels of the fruit world, always tempting to eat.
Uttarakhand is a beautiful place with a special climate that's perfect for growing apples. The hilly areas create ideal conditions for apple trees. The different altitudes in Uttarakhand result in various microclimates, allowing many types of apples to grow. The cool temperatures and clear seasons, especially the cold winters, are just right for apple trees. There are many varieties of apples grown here, such as Royal Delicious, Red Delicious, and Kala Zeera.
Delicious Treats Made With Apples
Health-conscious people often eat apples regularly, but it's easy to get bored with the same snack every day. Don't worry, you can make tasty treats with apples as the main ingredient. Let's look at some of them.
King of Jams: Apple Jam
Apple jam is a fantastic option because it combines health and taste in one delightful spread. It's rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, supporting your overall well-being. You can eat it with roti, toast, paratha, and many other things. Try the below recipe and make apple jam with jaggery
Ingredients:
- 4 to 5 Apples
- 3 cups Jaggery powder
- Baking soda for washing fruits
Instructions:
Wash the apples in water with baking soda to remove the wax and pesticides. Peel and roughly chop the apples, then blend them into a puree without adding water. Transfer the puree to a wide, thick-bottomed pan and cook on medium heat. Add jaggery powder and stir intermittently. Cook for about 25 minutes until the mixture forms small, frothy bubbles. Continue stirring until the jam thickens and leaves a clear path when you scrape the bottom of the pan. Once thickened, turn off the heat and let it cool completely. Transfer the cooled jam to a clean, dry bottle. Then store it in the refrigerator.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a vinegar made from apple cider that's getting really popular. Many people are adding it to their diet because it might be good for skin, and hair, and even helps to lose weight. It's a bit sour, so be careful not to take too much. Many people use it primarily to reduce obesity. While scientific research and evidence on the benefits of ACV are limited, its medicinal properties have made it a popular health supplement. Let's see how can you make AVC at home:
Ingredients:
- Clean glass jar
- Whole organic apples
- Raw Honey
- Non-chlorinated water
- Coffee filter, cheesecloth, or tea towel (to cover to prevent gnats and fruit flies from getting in)
- Rubberband (to secure the coffee filter or the other covering options)
Instructions:
Fill clean jars 3/4 full with chopped apples or apple scraps. Add honey and water until the apples are submerged. Cover with a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or tea towel and secure with a rubber band. Let sit for 2 weeks in a dark, cool place, stirring occasionally if desired. After 2 weeks, strain the mixture into a clean jar, cover it with a new coffee filter, and secure it with a rubber band. Let it ferment for another 2-4 weeks in a cool, dark spot. When it smells sour, taste it. If not strong enough, let it sit longer. Once it has the right tanginess, store it like store-bought apple cider vinegar.
Sweet and Spicy Apple Chutney
Every Indian loves chutney. Apple chutney tastes great with many dishes. You can eat it with paratha or serve it with dal and curry. Let's see how you can make it:
Ingredients:
- 5 to 6 apples, peeled and diced.
- Honey or Jaggery
- 2 tablespoons Garam Masala
- 2 Tablespoons Red Chilly Powder
- 2 medium onions and 2 garlic cloves finely diced(optional)
- 2 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp rock salt
- 700 ml cider vinegar
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients in a large heavy-based pan and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, and then simmer uncovered until the mixture is thick and pulpy. This normally takes between 1 and 2 hours, but do keep an eye on the simmering mixture in case yours thickens sooner (check after the first 40 minutes or so).
Unique Pahadi Dessert: Apple Jalebi
These Pahadi fritters showcase the richness of the Himalayan region. Try a twist on the traditional jalebi recipe with Apple Jalebi, made from apples, all-purpose flour, raw honey, and ghee. This dessert is perfect for potlucks, kitty parties, and buffets, and everyone will love it.
Ingredients:
- 1 Apple
- 1 cup curd
- 1 Tablespoon Nirvana Organic Honey
- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
- A pinch of green cardamom
- A pinch of salt and soda
- Water -As needed
- Oil /Ghee - To deep fry
Instructions:
In a bowl, add all-purpose flour, curd, water, and a pinch of salt and soda and mix it until smooth. Let it rest for 2 to 3 hours. To make honey syrup, boil 1 cup of water, Add honey, and cardamom to the water and cook the water on slow flame for 5 minutes or until it reduces to half. Take the pan off the gas. Take an apple and remove its skin and seeds. Then cut it into round slices. Coat the apple pieces in the already prepared batter. Dip the coated apple pieces in the jalebi batter and deep fry in the hot oil. After frying, dip in honey syrup for a few seconds. Serve with a sprinkle of green cardamom.
In our busy lives, making these can be difficult and time-consuming. To save time and get 100% natural and organic apple jam, apple chutney, and apple cider vinegar, try our products.
Explore Nirvana Organic to see a wide range of organic products made with apples sourced locally from Uttarakhand, supporting local women farmers.
