Apples always show up on the lists of must eat organic fruits and vegetables. When I was growing up I never even knew there was such a thing as organic. Now, we try to buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible, but they are so much more expensive. So here are some tips on making your grocery dollars go a little further.
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Growing up I only remember having Red Delicious apples around the house and an occasional Granny Smith. Now, I’m aware of so many more types and varieties of apples. My favorite apples are the “Pink Lady” apples, sometimes called “Pink Crisps.” They are crisp and sweet and a little bit tart. Our local Whole Foods usually has these for $2.99, with an occasional sale at $2.49 per pound. We usually shop there because of the selection, though we try to be aware of traditional grocery stores and their increasing organic selection. Our local Kroger sometimes has organic Red Delicious for $.99 per pound, the cheapest price I’ve seen on organic apples.
I must confess Red Delicious are my least favorite. I think the skins tend to be a bit thicker and that probably contributes a lot to my dislike. But a partially peeled apple chopped up for a fruit salad is a great way to use a variety that might be on sale but isn’t your favorite. If you are a person that likes to make juice, using an on-sale apple as as base and sweetener for your juice is a great way to make your dollars stretch.
Apples can last longer by storing them in a cool place like a cellar or a drawer in the refrigerator. If you buy a bunch of the apples when they go on sale you can usually store them long enough for them to go on sale again, up to a month, or two depending on how you store them and the variety of apple.
If you’ve got a tip or suggestion on storing or using apples, please comment below.
Remember an apple a day keeps the doctor away! What’s your favorite?