This year, our son decided that he wanted to celebrate his birthday at an apple orchard. (Actually, he wanted to celebrate his birthday at an orchard last year, but when he broke four bones during a nasty manhunt game in the schoolyard, it put a little wrinkle into our plans. Not to worry, the doctors have repeatedly assured us that it will not interfere with his NHL career ;0).
So, off we went for a day of splendor in the sunshine, filling our baskets to the brim with a mix of this year’s finest and freshest bounty.
Among the apple varieties that we brought home, were some adorable, mini McIntosh, that I just couldn’t keep my eyes off of. Clearly, something had to be done!
This purée only has the slightest hint of sweetness amidst its fall flavourings. It’s perfect as an appetizer, side or snack.
I particularly like discovering appetizers that do not involve bread (since we all have plenty that do), and I’m also a big fan of adding protein to snacks to slow down the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar and create greater satiety.
You can pull this purée together in about 5 minutes – yeah! happy mommy dance…
Maple-Ginger Pumpkin Purée over Apples
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- 1/2 cup pure pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
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- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (substitute silken tofu for a delicious non-dairy version)
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- 1 heaping tsp fresh grated ginger
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- 1 tsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground clove
Place all ingredients together in a bowl and whisk until blended (or use a blender if preferred).
Enjoy inside carved out miniature apples for a fun fall look (use a knife or melon baller for carving) or, simply spread onto apple slices.
Our sons devoured these after school the other day!
So glad that the little guy could have his birthday at the orchard this year! This appetizer sounds so sophisticated and delicious =)
I could see so many ways to use this spread!! I’m going to make up some this weekend. I have a container of ricotta in my frig at all times!
@sweetcarolinescooking.com Thanks Caroline!
@Nami | Just One Cookbook You’re too sweet Nami. I was completely kidding about my son’s hockey career :)
@Claudie Thank you Claudie.
@GregH smooch xo
@Eva @kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com i agree; loving all the fall recipes these days…
@kristy I’m so envious of you fall babies… February is just not the same – ha-ha – yes, in fact I popped one the filled apples in each of the boys lunches and they seemed to work well (either that or they threw them out at school – kidding!) :)
@Ana Helena Thanks Ana – I do believe he did :)
@thecompletecookbook thanks Mandy!
@Elyse @The Cultural Dish yes, it’s the same kind of thing – we often use nut butters as well; the key is to incorporate some protein and or naturally occuring fats. Yum!
@Beth Michelle Thanks so much – the flavours worked out well – present without being too strong.
@Sell WoW Accounts let me know how you like it!
@Sissi McIntosh are our favourite too… in fact, my son will ask, ‘did you pack a McIntosh for me mom?’ I hope their always this cute – ha-ha! We are still enjoying your delicious apple cake Sissi. You’re right, it lasts beautifully in the fridge.
@Sissi McIntosh are our favourite too… in fact, my son will ask, ‘did you pack a McIntosh for me mom?’ I hope their always this cute – ha-ha! We are still enjoying your delicious apple cake Sissi. You’re right, it lasts beautifully in the fridge.
@Charles silken (extra soft) tofu is great for baking – it falls apart nicely and works into the texture – you don’t even know it’s there :)
@yummychunklet thanks Yummy…!
@purecomplex.com agreed, the boys loved them!
@Anne@frommysweetheart Thank you for your kind words Anne; the rain can be difficult this time of year – the days are shorter and darker. Hopefully will see the big ball of fire again soon :)
@Junia Thanks Junia – you would like this one for sure :)
@Sandra thanks Sandra!
@Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. i love the combination of flavours – the ginger really comes through; mmm…
@Amy @ ElephantEats he’s a pretty ‘sweet’ guy – arr, arr.
@Happy When Not Hungry me too!
@Dzoli what a nice compliment – thanks Dzoli – it’s true you would be an apple connaisseuse.
@Food Jaunts I know, I know… 4 bones the poor little guy. They are cute, aren’t they?!
@Lindsey@Lindselicious have a great time Lindsey. The fall is a beautiful time of year (once you come to terms with the end of summer – LOL).
@mike @ the culinary lens I agree Mike – I wish I could spend the day apple picking on my birthday but it might be a tad chilly in February!! :0
@Sylvia@peachesanddonuts it’s true; the possibilities are endless. Thanks Sylvia.
@Jen at The Three Little Piglets over oatmeal is brilliant Jen!
So cute that your son wanted to spend his birthday at the apple orchard! What a nice healthy snack to go along with those fresh picked apples.
This sounds great, love its versatility. Cute presentation. :) xx
This sounds like a wonderful snack and very creative!
Wow your son will be a NFL player. Happy belated birthday to your son! :-) This is another great creative creation! Very healthy & autumn-like snack. :-)
That’s a beautiful presentation, and I love the idea :)
Hi Kelly. I love the photos from the orchard. I don’t think I have ever seen a pumpkin patch up close before…! Very “Fall”. And the apple treats look Yummy!
What a great way to spend a birthday — Lucky kid! This looks like a great snack for after school. Pumpkin and apple have a natural affinity.
Happy birthday to your son! He was born in a great week. ;) I used to go to the apple farm for years on my birthday as well. I think this was one of the first that we didn’t go in a while. Not to worry though – we’re still planning our trip. And you better believe this will be on the menu. How do you think the puree would hold up in a lunch box? I think Mr. N would enjoy this too. :)
Absolutely amazing!!! I love the idea. I’ll bet your little boy gave you a big hug!!!
That’s a healthy and tasty snack!
These look wonderful and I love the new look of your blog.
Going to bookmark this. What a great snack idea!
Ooh, love this idea and I only ever use pure pumpkin puree – we don’t even get it in a can here.
Have a happy day.
:-) Mandy
I always love having peanut butter spread on my apple slices so I know this is right up my ally! Your photos are so beautiful and this recipe sounds so delicious! Thank you for sharing!
@Ann lol – it’s all about hockey here Ann :)
What a fun birthday and what an amazing recipe! This looks so good and is such a perfect use of all the yummy pumpkin and beautiful apples around now.
i wanna try this recipe!
5 minutes to make this delightful looking snack??? And McIntosh! I haven’t had this apple for so many years. It used to be one of my favourite varieties for so long… They are so pleasantly firm, juicy, not the blandly sweet ones which invade the markets more and more every year. You are lucky!
(Thank you once more for leaving the comment which made me jump with joy all Monday morning!)
Oh, how delightful… it looks so beautiful, and tasty, and since it’s apple that means it’s healthy of course (even if it were filled with, like, some marshmallow, nutella and deep-fried sugar concoction, the apple usurps them all and keeps it all healthy! :D) – but really… great stuff. I’ve heard a lot about silken tofu… need to check it out :)
Great looking snack, and I love how perfectly round your apples are from the top!
This Maple-Ginger Pumpkin Purée over Apples recipe is perfect for a fall treat and for kids to make with parents. I love this.
Delicious! I’m glad your son’s NFL career is safe! ;o)
Kelly…how beautiful is this!!!! I love the addition of the ricotta in the puree and am already thinking of a number of uses for it! I was hoping to go to the apple orchard this weekend…but we had an entire weekend of rain!!! Your pictures are just wonderful….as usual! : )
ahhh i love the maple ginger combo here. apples make the perfect healthy snack! i love to cut apples in half and make it into a cupcake by stuffing it with nutbutter. lol.
totally submit this to our #applelove bloghop!!
http://juniakk.blogspot.com/2011/10/apple-bloghop-gf-quinoa-apple-muffins.html
have a great night!
Buzzed ya!
This looks so pretty!!! Oh, and tasty!!! :)
Based on your comments on my blog and the recipes you post, I think we love the same flavors :) This sounds absolutely delicious! And I love your son’s idea to have a bday at an orchard…a boy after my own heart :)
How delicious! Love apple picking season!
This looks so pretty.Although we are apple growing land never saw apple this beautiful in colour;))
@My Inner Chick Half French Canadian (my maman is French) and half fighting Irish :0
Oh those are adorable! (Side note – oh my gosh, four bones!) I love this idea for a fun fall appetizer, I could definitely see them being the hit of the party
This sounds super good I love the pumpkin with the apples. I am going apple picking later in the month too. I hope I have a fun time like you guys did!
OMG,
You are AMAZING. What a thrill it must be to live in your house, Kelly. Are you English? xx
What a great way to spend the day.. This recipe looks so good
What a tasty puree! I can think of some other ways of having it too!
Those sound delicious! That would be really good on a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast too…