I hope everyone’s Wednesday is going well! First up today, I’d like to introduce a new venture of mine. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I spent my first year out of college living and working in Prague, partially assisting on a magazine launch, partially teaching English. I’ll now be writing weekly about my experiences over there for GoBackpacking.com, and I’d love if you’d check out my introductory post! Click here for more. And now, back to food.
When I first began to eat fruit, I would always slice it, arrange it on a plate, and eat it piece by piece. Grabbing an apple in a rush was impossible; there had to be cutting boards, sharp knives, and small plates involved. Feel free to view this as either compulsive or refined; I can’t decide between the two.
apple and hummus sandwich
Consequently, I can remember rather clearly the first time I took a bite straight out of an apple. Its sweetness was not new to me, and yet for a moment, an unexpected thought surfaced: how would it taste?
peanut butter applesauce [steamed apple, peanut butter, honey]
Texture has always influenced my perception of flavor. Back in my bland, pasta-eating days, I was partial to angel hair or elbow – any other variety altered the pasta’s taste too much. Though my mother protested that the ingredients were the same regardless of shape, my rigid teenage tastebuds refused to be convinced.
I suppose those memories returned when I was on a train through Switzerland, staring down a ruby Jonagold. That first juicy bite certainly lacked the elegance of uniform, cinnamon-dusted slices, but it wasn’t missing the flavor. Though I’ve got an affinity for artistically presented food, a messy, plateless snack can easily be just as delicious.
And since then, I’ve started to find something wonderful about a bite taken out of an apple. Artistic in that imperfect way, healthy in that simple way, and perfectly appropriate for this season. When I’m not busy throwing slices into recipes, sinking my teeth into a sweet Fuji is fast becoming my ideal November snack.
Do you remember your first apple?
Related posts:
I think my first apple was one I picked up off the ground on my grandparents’ farm (surprise, surprise). They have about 15+ trees, and most of them were apple trees; only one bore pears. I remember being excited when I’d find the perfect apple – no bruises, perfectly round.
There’s something about apples. Sigh.
My first apple EVER? … no, that was way too long ago! My earliest memory of apples is when I peeled a chunk of skin off my thumb as a kid while I was attempting to peel an apple.
The skin is the best part, anyway.
<3 <3
love apples, they are the best fruit and now in this lovely season they are amazing, love going to the orchards in my area, best apples ever, and NY is the big apple haha…okay well love you hummus and apple sammie, love that idea i think i have made an avocado and apple sandwich, that is quite good :) and love throwing cooked apples into recipes with squashes and such so good! and dried apples love those, had some in my oats today :)
do i remember my 1st apple, hmmm not really but i probably ate apple sauce as a little baby, but i do have loads of memories of going apple picking when i was little, and my mom’s apple crumble is the best ever!
:)
xx
Eliza
ahh i dont know i think ive always loved fruits and veggies! my favorite food as a child was zucchini and spinach :) but apple I love apples! i remember eating them with honey as a child! and going apple picking or apple sauce on potato latkas on Hanukkah(spelled? ok i am such a bad jew hahah) :) wow Maya..:)
okay.:).well love apples alot!! and love apples+almond butter as of lately and grated apple in oats or dried apples in oatmeal(today i had that it was beyond amazing ;) ) my brother would always peel the skin and i love the skin! never understood, hehe…and my mom’s apple crisp ohhman so good, as i can remember from way back haven’t ate it in years!
xo
maya
*off to eat an apple*
Lovely post! I always admire you way of using a simple ingredient in a divine way! My first apple? I use to go to the apple orchard in the mountains as a child on field trips. I use to eat them righ there in the sunshine…it was very plesant. When I got a bit older my grandma introduced me to many other kinds at her house. There I learned to love all types of apples…my favorite now is honeycrisp though :)
xoxo
Maggie
Congrats on the writing gig! You shall be fabulous, I know it!
i really look forward to reading your Prague writings!!!
I don’t remember my first apple ever (i’ve been an apple girl for as long as i can remember :] ) but I do remember my first spple from an orchard. There really is something to be said about picking a home grown, organic apple straight from the tree and taking a bite from it. As simple as they are, apples are my favorite fruit ever!
i don’t remember my first apple, but i’ve always been a biter. i love sinking my teeth into a cold, crisp apple. so delicious. i’m glad you are able to enjoy apples in a variety of ways :)
love always,
lex
I wish I remembered my first apple…but I know it was from a tree on my farm in Ukraine. And I’m sure it was delicious :)
Apples..one of my favorite foods, all tied in with memories..pie with my mom and sister..picking with my girls..in a family like ours, food, memory,they are all part of the same………..
Such a good post! I always ate Red Delicious apples as a youngster, because thats what Mom bought. I NEVER ate one unless it was cut up in fours, by my Mom. And I would not bring them to school because I didn’t like how they’d turn brown. I was so obsessive…wow, still am! Haha.
ahh ! another WONDERFUL post!!!
1.) SO cool about PRAGUE!! i am DEFINITELY going to read !!!
2.) i TOTALLY get what you mean about different shapes/textures of food that is really the same ‘food’! i.e i’m not a fan of shredded carrots but OBSESSED with crunchy forms of the veg that i can bite into!!
3.) i dont remember my first apple but i do remember me n my dad used to always go to this farm stand by his work and he would buy me a cortland apple the size of my face :) thanks for reminding me of this!!
xoxoxox
Congratulations on the writing job! What fun it’ll be to write about your experiences.
I don’t think I can remember my first apple… my mom used to make me one, sliced with cheddar cheese, every day after school.