GRANNY SMITH Apples (Malus domestica)
Apple divas #2 : Grass green, crisp, juicy, moderately sweet with a tart snappy flavor, Granny Smith apples are excellent keepers. With superb eating and cooking qualities, they never get mushy when baked. Raw…Granny Smith’s register at 6.2 on the Lytle Sweetness Scale, while a cooked Granny Smith commands an 11.6 rating, making Granny Smith apples ideal for pie baking.
An antique Australian variety, Granny Ramsey Smith’s green apple originated in 1868 from a chance seedling propagated by Maria Ann Smith, from whom the apple gets its name. Thought to be a hybrid of the European wild apple, Malus sylvestris, crossed with the domestic apple, Malus domestica, as the pollinator. Widely grown in New Zealand, it was introduced to the United Kingdom c. 1935 and the United States in 1972.
If you have October travel plans bound for Australia, consider attending the annual Granny Smith Festival at the end of the month, which celebrates this superb apple’s Australian roots. The festival is held in Eastwood, New South Wales.
Cooking with Granny Smith Apples
Besides eating out-of-hand, Granny Smiths are also excellent in salads as the slices do not brown as quickly as other apple varieties. Tending towards a harder texture than other green apples, they add a welcome crunchiness to a Waldorf salad, with mixed fruits, or in contrast to fresh baby greens.
RECIPE IDEAS:
Desserts
One of Bri’s favorites for family gatherings:
Cardamom Apple Crisp with Dried Cranberries
Apple Walnut Crumb Quick Bread
I’m curious to make this Green Apple & Sparkling Cider Sorbet recipe, while Granny Smiths are still in season.
Nami-nami’s Oven-baked Toffee Apples recipe sounds delectable as well. Check it out at: http://nami-nami.blogspot.com/2008/09/oven-baked-toffee-apples.html
Green Apple Pie Recipes
Best Ever Apple Pie uses Granny Smith apples:
www.hubpages.com/hub/Best-Ever-Apple-Pie
Deep Dish Apple Pie:
www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Dessert/Citrus/recipe.html?dishid=3976
Oatmeal Nut Crunch Apple Pie:
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/eating-well/oatmeal-nut-crunch-apple-pie-recipe/index.html
Wild Apple Pie & Green Apple Jelly with Thyme look totally delish: www.tigressinajam.blogspot.com/2009/10/jam-on-it-roast-toast-1-pumpkin-yogurt.html
OR consider this yummy looking Apple Walnut Gorgonzola Rustic Tart:
www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_walnut_gorgonzola_rustic_tart
Waldorf Salad Recipes may be found at various sites
Here are a few to check out:
www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/waldorf_salad
www.souldish.com/2007/10/25/classically-raw-waldof-salad
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robert-irvine/impressionist-waldorf-salad-recipe/index.html
Here’s a different take on the standard, Creative Kale Waldorf Salad:
www.eatingbirdfood.com/2010/10/kerf-b-day-celebration
SOURCES:
~ Feature photo: Thanks to benjamint444, a talented photographer from Melbourne Australia, who posted this terrific image on WikiMedia.org
~ Thanks to Cindy Ruth of www.slowtrav.com/blog for permission to use her Green Apple Sorbet photograph.
~ PHOTOS of more apple varieties, apple tasters reviews plus much more at: http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/products/fruits/granny-smith-apple/
~ Granny Smith apple origins info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granny_Smith
For Apples Trees, if you have room to grow your own:
www.treesofantiquity.com
www.millernurseries.com
www.starkbros.com
Other interesting apple links:
Health Benefits: http://www.applesprevent.com/
Apple Cider info: http://www.nycider.com/