Fall in Michigan - Healthy and Simple Apple Butter Recipe and My Local Favorite Farmers Market Products

My Nephew and his "Auntie"

Plymouth Orchard

By far my favorite season of the year is FALL. Sadly many of the farm markets are beginning to close but there are many apple orchards that carry antique and traditional apples, squash, and baked goods.  Unfortunately with the odd winter/spring weather of 2012 many of the Michigan apple crop was destroyed.  Still maintaining the fall spirit I am adding an apple butter recipe (likely with stuffed pumpkin, southwest squash, and cinnamon raisin bread to follow - with a healthy twist of course :) ) Continue to check in to T.E.N.F for new recipes.

Farmers Market Links:
Many Michigan Farmers Markets are closing for the season by Mid-October. Try to enjoy the last of the markets :). Find more information at...

• Pure Michigan Farmers Market Guide - http://www.michigan.org/farm-markets/
• Michigan Farmers Market Association - http://mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market/
• Local Harvest - Find a Farmers Market Near You - http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/

Jess The RD's Favorite Local Goods: Growing up in Michigan opened my eyes to the fun and enjoyment of farmers markets, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and home made products.  Some of my FAVORITE great local goods to check out are...

• The Granola Tree - Sells AMAZING natural peanut butters in many flavors, oatmeal, and of course, granola. This is one of my must's when I go to the Milford farmers market. So far my favorite peanut butter was the chai. http://www.thegranolatree.com/

• Nana's Nuts - Sells baked cinnamon honey almonds. This is one of my sister-in-laws favorite naturally made sweet treats from the Canton MI farmers market. http://www.facebook.com/nanasnuts

•  Farrell Fruit - SO WORTH IT. I am proud to say Eric was one of my co-workers and taught me quite a bit about the passion and motivation needed to drive your own small business. Eric makes wonderful artisan jams in Ann Arbor MI Worth every penny! http://www.realtimefarms.com/source/1523111/farrell-fruit-farm Eric also co-owns the bar: 327 Braun Court. Check it out for a different type of bar experience in Ann Arbor MI. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bar-at-327-Braun-Court/120577181379049

• Bare Knuckle Farm - Every year my family spends LOTS of time up north michigan in the town of Northport. This is where I was introduced to Bare Knuckle Farm. This is a market stand that you cant pass up. All the produce is beautiful, tasty, and grown with hard work.  http://bareknucklefarm.com/who_we_are.html

• 9 Bean Rows - Artisan Farm and Bakery -You may think you have had an amazing loaf of bread or danish. But I tell you...you have not LIVED until you have tried one of the apricot fresh, crispy, flaky apricot danishes.  http://9beanrows.com/

Michigan Apple Orchards

Directory of Apple Orchards in Michigan - http://www.applejournal.com/mi01.htm

Some of My Favorites

Diehls Orchard - Holly MI

Grist Mill - Parshallville MI

Spicers Orchard - Fenton MI

Uncle Johns Cider Mill - St. Johns MI

Gull Meadow Farms - Richalnd MI http://www.gullmeadowfarms.com/

Plymouth Orchards Inc. - Plymouth MI http://www.plymouthorchards.com/

Christmas Cover Farm (Antique Apple Farm)- Northport MI 

http://www.applejournal.com/christmascove/farm.html

Recipe of the Day:

Apple Butter
This recipe is incredibly easy, sweet, smooth, and satisfying served cold or warm as a dip or spread. Try it as a fruit dip, pretzel/chip dip, on morning toast, as a naturally sweet meat pan sauce, ice cream topping etc. The ideas are endless :). Let me know any fun ways you like to use Apple Butter.

Ingredients: 

4 Apples (Honey Crisp, McIntosh, Gala...Delicious)
1-2tbs Cinnamon/Sugar Mix
1/4-1/2C Water

This is a very simple, clean, and healthy spread.

Directions:Cut the apples into chunks 1-2in. Add 1/4-1/2C water and the apples to a pot. Cover the pot and turn the stove on to medium heat. Let the apples slowly simmer. Once the apples become soft, in about 10-15 minutes, mash, similar to making apple sauce.  Continue to simmer the apples, on low, and stir until the mixture condenses to half of the size.  Add cinnamon and sugar to taste. The full simmering process took me about 1hr for a smooth consistency. The mixture develops a "butter-like" consistency as the moisture continues to cook out of the product, longer, slow cooking produces a nice texture.  You can add apple juice or apple cider instead of water for additional sweetness.  You can also do this with pre-made applesauce as well, if you don't feel like cutting and the additional cook time.
**PS exciting news...I get my new camera in about 1-2 weeks...expect some better quality photos soon!!! YAY. **

Want to learn some interesting nutritional facts about apples? 

USDA Household Commodity Fact Sheet: Apple Nutrition http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/facts/hhpfacts/New_HHPFacts/Fruits/HHFS_APPLES_FRESH_F510-515_Final.pdf

University of Illinois Extension : Apple Nutrition and More http://urbanext.illinois.edu/apples/nutrition.cfm

Apple Baking Reference Chart by the Prepared Pantry http://www.preparedpantry.com/applereferencechart.aspx