The Forbidden Fruit

Fast lane definition
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family (Rosaceae). It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans.

The tree originated in Western Asia, where its wild ancestor, the Alma, is still found today. There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics. Cultivars vary in their yield and the ultimate size of the tree, even when grown on the same root stock.

Culinary Quote Du Jour
"I know the look of an apple that is roasting and sizzling on the hearth on a winter's evening, and I know the comfort that comes of eating it hot, along with some sugar and a drench of cream... I know how the nuts taken in conjunction with winter apples,cider, and doughnuts, make old people's tales and old jokes sound fresh and crisp and enchanting."
Mark Twain


Apples have been cultivated for 3000 years and come in over 1000 varieties.  The apple derives its name from the Latin pomum, meaning fruit in English, and is classified as a pome, a fruit that has many tiny seeds within a core at the center. They belong to the pome group as opposed to the stone group, referring to the type of seeds contained in the fruit.The forbidden fruit started with a bad rap with the temptation of Adam and Eve and their eventual expelling from the garden of Eden.  Cultivated to its current sweet, fleshy state by the Romans it became one of the worlds most beloved fruits.  The apple went on to live in American Lore with the story of Johnny Appleseed, AKA John Chapman a real man not a legend, he was a missionary that actually set up nurseries as he went leaving them in charge of land owners and neighbors and would return every two years to cultivate them.  He actually had a business plan selling shares in each tree.   Supposedly, the only surviving tree planted by Johnny Appleseed is on the farm of Richard and Phyllis Algeo of Nova, Ohio.   Some marketers claim it is a Rambo, although the Rambo was introduced to America in the 1640s by Peter Gunnarsson Rambo, more than a century before John Chapman was born. Some even make the claim that the Rambo was "Johnny Appleseed's favorite variety".  Unlike the mid-summer Rambo, the Johnny Appleseed variety ripens in September and is a baking/applesauce variety.  My Father-in-law J.P.Archambault makes a great applesauce using a mixture of apple type and it is hands above the canned stuff.  Here is my rendition of his highly tasty recipe, Applesauce: Peel and core a variety of apples. Cut into slices, put them into a saucepan, and add a little water or apple juice to cover the bottom of the pot. Start heat on high, and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium, and cook gently, about 15 minutes, stirring often and checking liquid to prevent burning. When soft, the apples can be mashed for a textured applesauce or put through a food mill or food processor for a smoother texture. Add cinnamon, ginger and cloves, and sugar or honey to taste and cook for another minute or two to set the flavors. Cool and store in the refrigerator.  This recipe freezes very well