How do you like them apples?

Apples are the source for many traditions. I remember Laura Ingall's bringing an apple to Mrs. Beetle on the first day of school.  Every year, students take a traditional field trip to an apple orchard such as Riley's Farm in Oak Glen, California.  Every Thanksgiving we sing the Johnny Appleseed song before the meal reminding ourselves to save room for a slice of Grammy's homemade Apple Pie.  

Johnny Appleseed Song

The Lord is good to me

and so I thank the Lord

For giving me, the things I need,

the sun and the rain and the appleseed

the Lord is good to me.

Apple Pie Recipe (mainly from Better Homes & Gardens with some minor additions)

1 Pie Crust (I use Trader Joes)

6 cups thinly sliced apples (Any will do...the above were made with gala apples from a neighbors tree)

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

CRUMB TOPPING

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans (optional)

3 tablespoons of butter.

Use a pastry blender and cut the butter into the crumb topping ingredients until it resembles course bread crumbs.  

Preheat oven to 375˚. Place the defrosted pie crust in a pie-plate to bake.  Mix all the above ingredients together in a bowl and place them in the pie shell.  Add the sugar-crumb topping atop the apples, PRESS DOWN and criss-cross some the second piece of Pie Crust on Top.  I take any left over pie crust and add to the edges of the pie as well.  I like it thick and crusty =)

Bake for 50 minutes.  Scoop vanilla icecream and a warm caramel sauce if you can afford the extra calories.

Enjoy!

What traditions do you do with apples?