Once the leaves start to change color, your mind inevitably turns to the delicious comfort foods of autumn. At the pinnacle of that list should be those preparations that are made with the delicious, juicy and nutritious apple. Whether eaten on its own, baked into a pie or formed into apple crisps, this yummy post-summer gift from Mother Nature can’t be beat.
Believe it or not, apple crisps have not always been as popular as they are today. Their origins only trace back a century or so to World War I England. Because many of the more expensive pastry ingredients were not available, resourceful home cooks began using the apples from their victory gardens in combination with flour, butter and a bit of sugar. They discovered that not only could the best apple crisp be made in less time than is the case with fancier pies that held higher prestige, but also the end result was just as delicious.
The war is long over, but the popularity of apple crisp remains strong. Today, people prepare this dish in the microwave as well as the oven and have come up with numerous variations to suit their whims and dietary preferences. For some, apple crisp can be a delicious if slightly decadent breakfast while others make it their midnight snack of choice. Just be sure you have fresh green apples such as Granny Smiths and a few minutes to cut them up. Before you know it, you will be enjoying the best that fall has to offer.
