From decorating with bundles of dried nature to lighting the first fire in the hearth, to walks with crisp leaves crunching under our feet, we love to soak up this fleeting season where the world is rich with colors and beckoning us to slow down. But we don't simply embrace the seasons agriculturally speaking, we believe in a holistic approach. No matter your season, there is a way to lean into the abundance of what autumn has to offer.
Our favorite? Well, we say you've got to eat anyway, so when all else fails (or even when it doesn't) eat festively. Even if cooking or baking aren't that enjoyable for you, there are lots of ways to give yourself a nudge, and remind yourself, "Hey, it's fall. Isn't that nice?"
This week, we added apple cider to our grocery pick up, just because, and stocked our pantry with several cans of pumpkin puree, because when the pumpkin dessert urge strikes, we want to be prepared. Buying a large heirloom pumpkin to place on your coffee table, or trying a local variety of apples that look tasty are no-cook ways to bring the season into your home. But if you're looking for something warm to pull from the oven, we hope you'll try our nostalgic Cast Iron Crisp.
Apples have such goodness and mystery about them, don't they? In Greek and Roman mythology, apples symbolize love and beauty, while in the early days of the U.S. the tales of a young John Chapman, planting apple trees throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, fill us with nostalgia and inspire us to "plant seeds" in our own community. The apple is undeniably filled with the aroma of possibility, and promise.
Let's lean into that goodness, and find a little comfort and a little magic in the foods we enjoy this season with the people around our table.
Cast Iron Apple Crisp recipe:
Ingredients:
filling -
6 medium sized Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flower
crumble crust -
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole dry oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), chilled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup brown sugar
the process -
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine all filling ingredients in an 8 x 8 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally and let cook for 6 minutes, just until apples are slightly tender.
Combine all dry ingredients of crumble crust. Message butter into dry ingredients with your hand or a fork, until it has is a coarse crumb and the butter is evenly incorporated.
Place crumble crust evenly over the prepared apples in the cast iron. Place in the oven for 24-26 minutes, until the crust is lightly browned. Let cool and serve by itself or with your favorite vanilla ice cream.
recipe notes:
- Due to the nature of a cast iron skillet, transfer any leftovers to another container (no one wants slightly black apples!)
