Apple pie, cozy sweaters, and hot cider are calling your name this October in Maryland! Home to more than 200 orchards - many open to apple picking - and more than 20 different varieties, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Evercrisp, there’s something for everyone to try!
To add to the fun this fall, Maryland’s Best is introducing a new character, Apple Buddy! Ready to join you at your next apple picking adventure, Apple Buddy can be found at the link here or at marylandsbest.net. How can you participate?
- Print out your Apple Buddy, color, decorate, then bring them to a Maryland orchard.
- Snap a photo with your Apple Buddy and post it on Facebook or Instagram.
- Make sure to tag Maryland’s Best (@mdsbest) and the orchard you are visiting while also using the hashtag, #MarylandAppleMonth. Every week in October, 10 winners will be selected to receive apple-themed prizes
But the fun doesn't stop at the orchard- Apple Buddy has a few tips for what to do with those apples!
There are tons of ways to enjoy your apples once you bring them home: fresh, in a salad, inside a grilled cheese, and best of all - in a pie! We suggest leaving apples on your neighbor’s porch so they can enjoy some too - it’s a great way to put a smile on someone’s face! Did you also know that different varieties of apples also have ideal uses in recipes? For example, if you’re making salad or just want to eat one as a snack, we recommend a Cameo apple. If you’re going to bake or make sauces you should use something like a HoneyCrisp apple. To find out more about individual apple varieties check out this handy guide or go to marylandapples.com.
One of our favorite recipes to make this time of year with apples is our Autumn Muffins which only take about 30 minutes total including cooking time!
Autumn Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 apple diced and cored but not peeled! (the peel helps add color)
Directions
Beat the egg slightly with a fork. Add milk and oil and stir. Sift together dry ingredients and add. Add apples and stir only until the flour is moistened. The batter should and will be lumpy! Fill a greased muffin tin (or use paper wrappers) ⅔ full. Do not overfill them as they will get larger. Bake 20-25 minutes in a preheated 400-degree oven or until muffin tops are golden brown. Served best with a hot or chilled cider; bon appetit!
Suppose you’re still looking for even more apple fun to experience in October. In that case, you can join us at one of Jimmy’s Famous Seafood TailGOATs or at Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore featuring apple activities, tastings, and more! For details on all the events happening, visit the Maryland’s Best website. For questions about the program or help with the Apple Buddy, contact Kristin Hanna at kristin.hanna@maryland.gov.
