• Sassafras: an easy-going North American tree with pretty spring flowers and large, interesting leaves that turn beautiful colors in the fall.

• Bushel: a unit for measuring an amount of fruit and grain that is equal to 8 gallons

• Tangy: a sharp, strong taste or smell, often associated with citrus

1. What is a harvest?
    
2. What is your favorite fruit to eat?
    
3. What is a sign of spring?
    
4. How do you know when fruit is underripe, ripe and overripe?

Apple Dissection

Use the apple diagram sheet (available for download here) to label the different parts of an apple.

• Stem (stalk): what the apple hangs on a tree from
• Skin (exocarp): a protective layer, nutrient packed
• Seeds (pip): part of the apple used to reproduce the species
• Core (endocarp): central part of the fruit which contains the seeds
• Pulp (mesocarp): edible part of the fruit with a pulp rich in nutrients

Download the apple diagram sheet here

How to Make Your Own Applesauce

Watch the Video:

Recipe:
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 medium honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored and chopped in bite-size pieces
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus more to taste)
• 2 – 3 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add peeled chopped apples, cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of water and lemon juice to a medium saucepan. Stir.
2. Cover and cook over medium heat until it simmers, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the apples are very tender an slightly caramelized — about 15 – 20 minutes. Stir occaisonally.
3. Use the back of a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash into a sauce. Blend if smoother texture if preferred. Add a dash of maple syrup or sugar of choice to sweeten.
4. Enjoy fresh or cool in the refrigerator for up to 4 – 5 days

• Learn more about the life of Edna Lewis on this website
   
• Check out one of Edna Lewis' cookbooks at your local library:
  • The Edna Lewis Cookbook
  • In Pursuit of Flavor
  • The Taste of Country Cooking
  • The Taste of Southern Cooking
     
• Learn fun apple facts on this website