31 Days of Halloween: Apples

REASON NUMBER ELEVEN: APPLES


Halloween holds a special place for me not just because of the macabre, but of the things I used to do as a child, customs and games, outings to the orchard and the yumminess of a caramel apple. Apples tend to be in there prominently. When I think of Autumn, apples are just there. You pick them over at the orchard which in itself is a day full of hay rides, hay bale mazes, turkey legs, kettle corn, fresh apple cider and loving all things Harvesty. For Halloween there is apple bobbing and caramel apples, but there were also the apple divinations my mom and I used to do. Plus apples are just yummy.

Apple Cider Recipe:
I love Apple cider. Add a bit of spiced rum and you are set.

Ingredients:
• 6 cups apple cider
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 orange peel, cut into strips
• 1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions:
1.Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.

2.Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.

3.Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.

4.Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.