Apples: kitchen hacks to peel, core and slice fall’s favorite fruit

From apple picking to bobbing for apples, apples are fall’s favorite fruit. But, what are the best kitchen hacks to peel, core and slice apples?

Whether your family went apple picking, to the local farmer’s market or the grocery store, fall’s favorite fruit, apples, are abundant. Apples come is so many different varieties, there is a different type of apple for almost every day of the month. With your carefully chosen bounty sitting on the kitchen counter, the question becomes how to do prep that fruit. First, start with proper storage.

(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Storage

Apples should be stored in the refrigerator. Until you are ready to eat or use the apple, keep it in the refrigerator. The apple will ripen in the refrigerator, if needed. More importantly, don’t store apples near other fruits.

Apples release a gas that can cause other fruits to ripen more quickly. Ever wonder why those bananas turned brown so quickly? Yes, apples look lovely on the counter with all the other fruits, but why have all the fruit ripen too quickly. If you insist on leaving an apple on the counter, keep it away from other fruit. Or, use some of those “green bags” which really do keep produce longer.

Get peeling

Microplane 2-in-1 Peel and Core, photo provided by Microplane

While some recipes keep the apple peel intact, many recipes, (or picky kids), prefer an apple without its skin. The two easiest ways to peel an apple is with a peeler or with a pairing knife. A good vegetable peeler will make quick work of apple peeling. While everyone has a preference, multi-function tools are a personal favorite. A new kitchen gadget that makes my apple peeling easier is the Microplane 2-in-1 Core and Peel.

The Microplane 2-in-1 Core and Peel features Microplane’s super shape blades that the company is known for. The straight edge peeler blade is extremely efficient. With a comfortable handle, it is easy to grip and manipulate.

If you don’t have this kitchen gadget, a pairing knife works too. While a pairing knife takes more care and skill, it doesn’t require a culinary degree. One key is to make sure that your pairing knife is sharp, a dull knife causes more accidents than a sharp one. Move the apple around slowly to remove the peel. Just make sure to watch your fingers around the sharp knife.

Core the apple

Just like peeling, coring an apple can be done in several ways. Using a kitchen gadget, like the Microplane 2-in-1 Core and Peel is the easiest. This kitchen gadget has a saw-tooth coring blade. It can puncture the apple and swiftly remove the core. Like all the Microplane products, the edges are super sharp. One push and the core is removed.

If you don’t have a coring kitchen gadget, carefully use a knife to slice around the core. This method takes more skill, but it is doable. Another way is to use a melon baller (if you have this kitchen gadget). Slice the apple in half and use the melon baller to remove the core. At least it’s another way to use that melon baller in the kitchen drawer.

KtichenAid Vegetable Sheet Cutter Attachment , photo provided by KitchenAid media site

Slice, dice or chop

Depending on the recipe, apples can be sliced or chopped. Chopping apples isn’t too hard. Make sure to use the flat side of the apple for easier chopping. If the recipe calls for chopped apples, make sure that all your pieces are the same size. The symmetry makes for even cooking.

Recently, more kitchen gadgets are making apple prep even easier. Food processors, food choppers and even spiralizers make quick work of apple prep. One of the coolest new kitchen gadgets is the Kitchen Aid Vegetable Sheet Cutter attachment. This attachment for the KitchenAid stand mixer creates long sheets of apples. With an adjustable blade, these apple sheets can be twisted into beautiful florets or sliced into pieces for a tart. Since every piece is the same thickness, sweet and savory dishes will look like a master chef made them.

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Don’t miss out on all the bounty of fall’s favorite fruit, the apple. While an apple a day really keeping the doctor away might be an old wives tale, apple season is the best time to try some new apple recipes.

Who’s ready to eat some more apples? Got a great apple recipe or made an amazing apple dish? Tag us with #FoodSided.

Home/Cooking Techniques