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<h1><i>APPLES in appealing ways</i></h1>
<p class="tbcenter"><i class="larger">Leaflet No. 312
<br/>U. S. Department of Agriculture</i></p>
<p class="center"><i>Bureau of Human Nutrition and Home Economics</i></p>
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<h1 title=""><i>APPLES in appealing ways</i></h1>
<p>Almost everyone enjoys apples. And there
are so many ways to use apples that a family
need never tire of them.</p>
<p>This leaflet is designed to supplement the
better-known apple recipes given in many cook
books. You will find here some new apple
adventures and some variations on favorite
ways of using the fruit. Recipes calling for
applesauce and apple juice are included.</p>
<p>All recipes have been developed or adjusted
by research methods, to arrive at up-to-date,
dependable directions.</p>
<h3 id="c1">Nutritionally speaking</h3>
<p>Many families eat apples liberally, for apples
regularly take top or second rank among the
country’s most widely used fruits.</p>
<p>Eaten in generous quantities, especially raw,
apples can provide some vitamin C. The food
value, however, varies considerably, depending
on such factors as variety, storage conditions—temperature
and length of keeping—and finally
the way the fruit is kept and served at home.</p>
<p>A small or medium-size apple makes a very
pleasant low-calorie dessert in many homes.</p>
<h3 id="c2">Choose your apples</h3>
<p>To get the most in apple enjoyment, look for
a variety that suits family taste and the uses
you have in mind.</p>
<p>Many varieties are good for all purposes—general
cooking, baking whole, eating raw.
Tart, firm apples are generally best liked for
cooking; sweeter apples, for eating raw. (See
table on <SPAN href="#Page_4">pages 4</SPAN> and 5 for descriptions of 12
well-known varieties.)</p>
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<p>Early summer apples are likely to be juicy,
tart, and quick-cooking ... especially good
in applesauce and pies.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that apples that are tart and
firm when picked in autumn become less crisp
and snappy if stored through the winter.</p>
<p>In some areas, windfalls and culls are sold
at bargain rates. To make sure you have a
real bargain, stop, look, and consider how you
will use the fruit. Bruises and skin breaks
mean waste, and apples damaged this way are
poor risks for home canning. Best uses for
them are in jelly, apple butter, or cider.</p>
<p>Skin russeting ordinarily does not affect
apple quality.</p>
<p>If apples are to be bought in large quantity,
it is better to buy a few at first, to try out, to
see whether they have the flavor and texture
you want.</p>
<h3 id="c3">Store for good keeping</h3>
<p>Apples are noted for good keeping qualities,
but it takes a little care to hold them at their
best in home storage.</p>
<p><i>Short storage</i> (a few days to 2 weeks): Keep
firm apples in a cool place, 60° to 70° F. Keep
mellow-ripe apples in the refrigerator.</p>
<p><i>Longer storage</i> (up to several months): If you
have plenty of cool- or cold-storage space,
where temperature remains the same and the
air is rather moist, you can probably save money
by storing autumn-picked apples in quantity
at home.</p>
<p>Sort carefully to remove apples with bruises
and skin breaks. Use these promptly. Divide
the sound apples into half-bushel lots and store
at 32° F. If you cannot provide this kind of
storage, use your coldest storage space, where
there is no danger of the fruit freezing.</p>
<p><i><b>Most recipes in this leaflet provide four
servings; a few provide more.</b></i></p>
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