Food

Did you know that October is National Apple Month?! The humble apple is great for snacking — and can be used in so many recipes. Dishes can be sweet, savory, or anywhere in between. Crunchy, sweet, and tart, apples become nice and soft when cooked or baked with. And apples are known for being nutritious — They’re full of fiber, vitamins, plus carbohydrates and a low amount of sugar. Here in Washington, we’re all about apples! Many varieties of the state fruit grow in orchards far and wide. And as we settle into autumn and the harvest season for apples, it’s time to celebrate the season’s favorite fruit.

October is National Apple Month

National Apple Month fits perfectly into Washington’s harvest season! It’s a great time to try a variety of fresh apples and celebrate the fruit. Tacoma Boys offers a variety of apples and apple products, from Fisher Northwest Apple Cake Baking Mix, to Eden Organic Apple Butter Spread, Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce, and much more. This month, celebrate apples a few different ways:

1. Apple picking: Some local apple orchards offer apple picking to the public. Bring the family and experience picking ripe apples straight from the trees they grow on!
2. Cider making: Cider pressing makes apples into juice. Like apple picking, you can find some cider pressing events or spaces near you during the harvest season.
3. Taste test of apples: Grab a few different varieties of apples and slice them up. Try a taste test to compare the flavors and you may even find a new favorite!
4. Sweet apple recipes: Baking sweet recipes with apples is a go-to for many since they’re already so sweet.
5. Savory apple recipes: Get creative cooking with apples in savory dishes, like braised chicken or salads.

Local Apples at Tacoma Boys

It’s easy to come by local apples around here. In fact, it may be hard to find much else! The majority of the nation’s apples are grown in Washington. Several varieties of apple crops grow in orchards across the state — It’s common to find most of these for sale, but not all are the same. Some apples are more tart and crisp, like granny smith, while other varieties are known for being extra juicy and sweet, like the honeycrisp. Depending on how you want to eat or cook these local apples, you might prefer one over the other.

Different varieties of apples at Tacoma Boys include:

• Honeycrisp
• Cosmic crisp
• Red delicious
• Pink lady
• Gala
• Jazz
• Ginger gold

Apple Recipes to Try

Celebrate National Apple Month by trying out new apple recipes! Apples are quite versatile and can be used in many different cuisines and types of dishes. Apple recipes can be sweet, savory, or somewhere in between — Read on for a few examples of each. If you’re one to enjoy simply snacking on apples, try this tip: Squeeze some lemon juice over the sliced apples to prevent them from browning. And don’t forget that you can drink your apples, too! Try Ryan’s Honeycrisp Apple Cider or some hard apple cider. Tacoma Boys has a wide selection of hard apple cider, much of which is local to Washington and Oregon. 

Sweet Apple Recipes

Some of the simplest apple recipes can turn out to be the most delicious! One example of this is the granola-stuffed baked apple: Core an apple of your choice and place it in a baking dish. First, mix ¼ cup Made Good Crispy Light Granola with 2 tsp melted GloryBee Organic Coconut Oil and 1 tbsp Wholesome Organic Dark Brown Sugar. Then, press the granola mixture into the center of the apple. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-45 minutes or until the apple is soft and the granola is crisp. Enjoy warm with Umpqua Vanilla Ice Cream! 

Some other examples of sweet apple recipes include:

• Apple Cinnamon Bread by Plated Cravings.
• Gluten Free Apple Pancakes by Something Nutritious.
• Apple Crisp Parfait by Joyful Healthy Eats.
• Tacoma Boys’ own Apple Rhubarb Crisp.

Savory Apple Recipes 

Savory apple recipes are fun to experiment with — You can sometimes use apples in dishes as you would vegetables for added flavor and moisture. For one, try an apple brie prosciutto panini: Build the sandwich like you would a grilled cheese, with a layer of sliced Marin French Traditional Brie Cheese, Boar’s Head Prosciutto, and sliced honeycrisp apples surrounded by buttered Seattle Sourdough Bread. Then, grill the panini in a skillet on medium heat, flipping once, until the brie is melted and the bread is crispy. 

A few more examples of savory apple recipes include:

• Waldorf Chicken Salad by A Mindful Mom
• Apple Cheddar Quiche by Hip Foodie Mom.
• Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder by The Modern Proper.
• Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup by Farm Flavor.

Stop by Tacoma Boys for a variety of different apples and apple products to celebrate National Apple Month! And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

While eating vegetables may not be the most exciting thing about dinner for many of us, the benefits are vast. Cup upon cups of raw and cooked vegetables are packed with nutrients and can be so filling! And you may be surprised at the amount of vegetables recommended by the USDA. General recommendations for adults clock in around 2-4 cups of vegetables per day. Eating vegetables is often much easier said than done, but it’s worth it to make an effort!

Eating Vegetables Everyday

Regularly eating vegetables can be simple once you’re comfortable with a few recipes! Vegetable recipes can be raw or cooked and full of flavor and whatever other ingredients you’d like. Cheese, starch like pasta or potatoes, and protein like cooked chicken or steak are a great accompaniment to vegetables. When you aim for eating vegetables rather than processed foods or foods low in nutrients, it’s easy to get your day’s worth of vegetables. That’s because you can eat a lot more without getting too full. Fill up your plate with produce, then work in grains and protein to balance your food groups. For more information on the health benefits of grains and how to include them in your diet, check out our blog post all about it.

In general, there are a few ways to continue eating vegetables throughout the day. Other than incorporating large amounts of produce into each meal, you can eat more vegetables with simple snacks throughout the day. One way to eat more vegetables throughout the day is to sneak some greens in everywhere you can.

Sneaking in Greens

Smoothies are an easy go-to when sneaking in greens. Just be sure to watch the amount of sugar you end up adding to the concoction! Some pre-made smoothies and juices like orange juice include several grams of added sugar. Aim for smoothies made with frozen fruit, greens, and a little bit of liquid like Vita Coco Coconut Water or Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk. You can sneak in several kinds of greens here, from spinach, to kale, to collard greens, and more. 

These dark, leafy greens are known for being packed with nutrients. Think spinach, kale, chard, collard greens, spring mix, microgreens, beet greens, and watercress. Some of these dark leafy greens and more are fresh and available in Tacoma Boys’ produce section. The fibrous vegetables are often very low in calories while being high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins like vitamin A, B, C, and K. Those who don’t enjoy the taste can easily incorporate greens into a smoothie with little to no perceivable taste. If you’re not sure how to get started, check out this guide on how to make smoothies with greens.

Salads don’t have to be boring! Sneaking in greens through salads is easy. But many people avoid salads. The dish gets a bad rep for being bland, not very filling, and lacking texture. Every salad should be loaded with more than just greens and vegetables. Think nuts, seeds, dried or fresh fruit, cheese, beans, meat, and more. Plus, Tacoma Boys’ vast selection of specialty salad dressings make it easy to add extra flavor to any salad.

Recipes With Vegetables

Recipes with vegetables don’t have to be complicated. Recall the vegetable-heavy dishes you’ve encountered and make your favorite at home. For example, do you ever enjoy cut raw veggies with dip served for snacking at a dinner party or get-together? Whip up the quick and healthy snack at home with whatever veggies you have on hand: Think carrots, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and even pickles and olives for an extra briney, salty crunch! These vegetables are inexpensive and easy to prepare ahead of time. 

• Serve your family’s favorite dip, like Paradigm Ranch Dressing or Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese alongside the raw vegetables. Or, try something that may be different to you, like Stonemill Kitchens Artichoke Jalapeno & Parmesan Premium Dip or Kite Hill Tzatziki Almond Milk Yogurt Dip.

• You can also make recipes with vegetables with simple methods like roasting vegetables: Roast a large amount of whatever vegetables you have on hand. Add potatoes, or grains like rice or quinoa, plus beans or meat for protein. Season them with your favorite spice mix, like Johnny’s Garlic Parmesan Seasoning. Or, finish them off with condiments like Tacoma Boys Pepper Patch Salsa or Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic Aioli. Now you have a full meal!

• Large amounts of vegetables can easily be added to soup. And soup season is coming up: The warm, hearty dish is so versatile, making it family-friendly. That’s what we love about it! Make a soup with whatever veggies, beans, and seasonings you have on hand. Check out our soup guide for some tips and tricks. Or, grab some packaged vegetable-loaded soup to have on hand, like Amy’s Organic Chunky Vegetable Soup or Rill Foods Barley and Vegetable Soup. 

Staying Healthy With Vegetables From Tacoma Boys

Swing by Tacoma Boys for all the fresh vegetables and produce you need throughout the year. You can find seasonal and other produce to incorporate into your meals and keep your family eating healthy. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!