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NEW ENGLAND APPLES
P. O. B 41, Hatfield, MA 01038 www.apples-ne.com 413-247-9966
HATFIELD, MA-What do you get when you cross a Red Delicious apple with a McIntosh? An Empire, this week's New England Apple of the Week. Fresh Empires are now ready for picking in the region's orchards, along with Cortland, McIntosh, Macoun, Honeycrisp, Gala, and a number of new and heirloom varieties.
The Empire is a relatively new variety, discovered in 1945 and introduced commercially in 1966. It has a striking, deep red skin brushed with gold and green. The Empire's flavor is sweeter than a McIntosh and more tart than a Delicious, and it has juicy, firm white flesh that doe not easily bruise. It is considered a high-quality dessert apple, and good for all culinary uses.
For something truly special to accompany your main entrée, use Empires in this Apple Chutney, from Mark Rosentein's In Praise of Apples: It's particularly good with veal or lamb.
Apple Chutney
4 cups Empire apples 3 whole cloves 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1 t. green peppercorns 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 t. cinnamon 4 T. molasses 1/2 t. nutmeg 2 cloves garlic, peeled and diced 1/2 t. salt 1 bay leaf 1/2 t. black pepper 1 hot green chili, stemmed, seeded and choppedCombine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook, covered, for 30 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally. Uncover and continue to cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the chutney is thick. If it gets too dry, just add a little water.
For links to pick-your-own orchards throughout the region, visit the New England Apples website at www.apples-ne.com, or call 413-247-9966.