Apples are especially good in the Fall as this is their harvest time. I urge you to make a trip to your local apple orchard or farmer's market so you can try varieties other than what we find year round in grocery stores. You will be pleasantly surprised not only with the range of apples available but also with their superior taste and texture. It is important to know that all apples are not the same as there are apples for baking and apples for eating. They can range in color from red to green, yellow to brown and can taste sweet, tart, mellow, or spicy. Textures can be firm and crispy to soft and sweet. Make sure to choose apples that look well-colored and firm with a fresh, never musty, smell. They should be smooth and free of soft spots, bruising, or holes. But remember, apples are not perfect in shape or size and some may even have blemishes or what is known as russeting (rough textured, brown-colored spots). Once you get your apples home, store them in a dark, cool place and if you live in a warmer climate you may want to store them in the refrigerator. Apples are delicious in so many baked goods so whether you treat yourself to a warm Apple Crisp or a pretty Cream Cheese Apple Tart. And remember that apples are believed to have the most curative powers of all the fruits. 

Another Fall fruit is the Cranberry, also known as a craneberry, bounceberry, bearberry, cowberry, or lingonberry. It is a small, hard, smooth-skinned, shiny red, round berry that is mainly associated with the holiday season. As it so happens this also coincides with their availability, which is from October through December. If you enjoy baking with fresh cranberries it is a good idea to buy a few extra bags and place them in the freezer for other times of the year. The tartness of the cranberry make it one of the few berries never to be eaten raw. Sugar is needed to temper its tangy flavor. Cranberries are used in both sweet and savory dishes. Commonly used in desserts (cookies, pies, quick breads, muffins, cakes, cobblers, etc.), as well as confections, sauces, compotes, chutneys, jams and jellies. Their wonderfully tart fresh flavor is enhanced when combined with sweet ingredients and when paired with other fruits like apples, pears, and oranges.