Add apples to your day

Source: Debbie Clouthier,

Extension Associate for Food and Nutrition

Fall is known for its abundance of great, fresh foods, and apples are among the most popular. You can prepare apples in many different ways and include them as ingredients in main courses, side dishes and desserts.

Not only are apples great additions to any meal, but they are also packed full of nutrients. They are low in calories, fat and sodium, cholesterol free and a great source of fiber. Apples also contain phytochemicals that may help prevent many chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, asthma and diabetes.

The United States is home to more than 2,500 varieties of apples. Several of those are grown in Kentucky, including Red Delicious, Rome, Winesap, Gala, Jonathan, Cortland and Golden Delicious. You can get Kentucky-grown apples at orchards, farmers markets and some grocery stores across the state. Look for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Kentucky Proud label when shopping.

When selecting apples, look for firm, crisp and colorful fruit. Avoid apples with shriveled skins, bruises, worm holes or decayed spots. Apples last longer in your refrigerator, either in the crisper drawer or in an unsealed plastic bag. You can leave apples out on the counter for a few days, but an extensive period of time at room temperature will cause apples to shrivel and lose flavor and crispness. Store apples separately from vegetables, because apples naturally release small amounts of ethylene gas that can damage lettuce and other produce.

Here’s a recipe from the Kentucky Proud program that incorporates apples:

Bone-in Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Ingredients:

2 Kentucky Proud pork chops, bone-in

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 Kentucky Proud apple, sliced

1 Kentucky Proud onion, sliced

1 cup chicken stock or apple cider, to deglaze

1 tablespoon butter, optional

Directions:

1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, and season well with salt and pepper.

2. In a large skillet on high heat, heat olive oil and brown the pork chops well, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. At this point, the pork chops will be well browned, but not cooked all the way through.

3. Transfer chops to a separate platter.

4. Add the apple and onion to the pan, and cook until softened and nicely caramelized.

5. Add chicken stock or apple cider, and scrape food morsels from the surface of the pan.

6. Nestle the pork chops back into the pan, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer until pork chops are cooked through and season with salt and pepper.

7. Add butter to the sauce at the last minute for extra richness, if desired.

More information about apples and other healthy foods is available at the Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Homemakers denim

and shoe drives

Blue Jean, Go Green denim drive

Cotton “Blue Jean, Go Green” denim recycling program collects unwanted denim and through a partnership with Bonded Logic Inc. transforms it into UltraTouch Denim Insulation. As a result, fewer textiles are sent to landfills-reducing the amount of waste. A portion of the insulation is given to communities in need to assist with building efforts. GOT DENIM? WE WANT IT!! Jeans with or without embellishments and of any color and condition are accepted, including scrap material.

Shoe and footwear drive

The Clinton County Homemakers are collecting new and gently used shoes to share with adults and children in need throughout our community. Accepting: men, women, & children shoes … athletic, running, dress, heels, pumps, sandals, work boots, cleats, dance, flip flops, just as long as they are new or gently worn. Preparation: clean shoes (no mud) with soles and body that have no holes, laces intact. We ask that you tie the pairs together using the laces or rubber band in pairs.

Denim and shoes can be dropped off at the Clinton County Extension Office, 2601 North Hwy. 127, any time between now and November 4th.

The Extension Office is open 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. with lunch from 12:00-1:00 p.m. If lunch time is best for you, please call ahead and we will make sure someone is available to receive your donations. However, Clinton County Extension Homemakers will gladly accept your denim and shoes during our Drive-Thru Event on Tuesday, November 4th from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Members will meet you at your vehicle to receive your items. Everyone who donates denim or shoes will receive a recycled denim pencil as a small token of appreciation! For more information, contact the Clinton County Extension Office at (606) 387-5404 or christy.nuetzman@uky.edu

Me and My PAL

The Clinton County Extension Office will offer Me and My PAL for parents and children up to age five on Friday, October 31st from 9:00-10:30 a.m. featuring hands-on learning activities in math, reading, and nutrition, games, recipe sampling, and more. The class is free, but pre-registration is requested. For more information, contact the Extension Office at 387-5404.