It’s Apple Day! Hooraaaaay!
If this is the first you’ve heard of it; no biggie. Either try out my 20 minute baked apple recipe below, just go buy an apple (make sure it’s British) – or head over to one of the events going on this weekend.
First up, the history bit. Apple Day is an annual celebration of apples and orchards, traditionally held on October 21 (the date of the first event in 1990). Founded by charity Common Ground at an event in Covent Garden, it aims to celebrate the 2,300 apple varieties grown in the British isles. Blimey.
There’s a select few Apple Day events remaining in October, but these are my top picks;
- Apple Day at Borough Market, this Sunday 25th October 2015 in the Green Market between 12pm and 4pm. Apple growers, traders and producers will be on hand to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, offering visitors the chance to sample an array of apple varieties, along with limited edition products such as preserves, breads, pies and juices.
- Audley End House and Gardens in Essex. Test out the 16th century English Heritage location’s Golden Delicious treats in the tea room, see how the Victorians would have cooked a D’Arcy Spice in the service wing, and enjoy pressing – and tasting! – Lord Derbys’ in the garden. They grow over 120 varieties of apple in their gardens!
- There are over 20 events still to come that the National Trust is hosting across the UK
- London Orchard Project is holding two events on the 22nd and 23rd at Camley Street Nature Reserve, 12 Camley St, NW1 0PW, complete with jam workshops, talks on bees and harvest-themed fun. There will be groups harvesting fruit in the mornings, workshops on looking after fruit trees, CAMRA-run cider tastings and preserving demonstrations
- Bramley Apple Festival, Southwell in Nottinghamshire – the picturesque market town where one of the UK’s most famous apples was first propagated more than 200 years ago from the garden of a cottage on Church Street. The stunning Southwell Minster, a splendid cathedral with one of the finest Norman naves in Europe, will host a festival of food & drink and all things associated with Southwell’s Bramley Apple heritage
But for now, try this 20 minute baked apple dish. Simply grab an apple per person (the ideal is a Chivers Delight, but I had to shop quickly so could only find some little Bramley ones) core, and set upright in an ovenproof dish.
Mix 2 tablespoons of nuts or fruit, or a mixture, with 2 tablespoons of sugar (I used coconut sugar) and a teaspoon of cinnamon.
Fill the emptied cored with the mixture, but push a knob of butter in to the top to seal it. Drizzle with a touch of honey.
Baked for 15 minutes at 200deg C. Serve with a drizzle of cream, which will complement through that caramelised filling perfectly. Enjoy!
