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Celebrating Apples and Pumpkins {Indy Style}

By Lori Taylor

Oct 22, 2019, Updated May 24, 2021

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October is National Apple Month and October 26th is National Pumpkin Day. Today on Indy Style, The Produce Moms founder Lori Taylor shared ways to enjoy apples and pumpkins in the month of October and beyond. Get into the festive spirit with these recipes and produce tips!

Slow Cooker Apple Cider

It’s so easy to make homemade apple cider, plus it’ll make your whole house smell yummy.

Ingredients 

• 8 Apples, any variety
•  8 cups of water
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tbsp whole cloves
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Whipped Cream (optional)

Directions

1. Place sliced apples, water, cinnamon sticks, clove, and brown sugar into your slow cooker and cook for 2 hours on high.
2. Mash apples with a potato masher. Strain and serve hot.
3. Optional: Top with whipped cream and serve with a cinnamon stick. For the adults, add a shot of cinnamon whisky.

Apple Pecan Salad

Apple Pecan Salad combines great flavors, textures, and colors. Sage Fruit Gala and Granny Smith apples are combined with baby greens, tomatoes, cabbage, pecans, and blue cheese and drizzled with a Lemon Garlic dressing. It’s bursting with color and is full of flavor and crunchy texture.

Ingredients 

Directions 

1. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Before serving, pour dressing over top salad and toss.
   Tip: Soak chopped apples in lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

*see the full recipe post here 

Caramel Apple Cheese Spread

Make this appetizer in just minutes. It rivals traditional caramel apples for taste and is easier and less messy to eat!

Ingredients 

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
• 4 tablespoons toffee bits
• 6-8 apples 

Directions

1. Unwrap a block of cream cheese and place it on your serving plate. Create a small well in the cream cheese using the back of a spoon.
2. Spoon caramel sauce into the well, allowing some to spill over the sites. Sprinkle toffee bits on top.
3. Serve will sliced apples.

*recipe via Inspired By Charm

 Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats 

Keep your dog out of the Halloween candy by offering him his own special treat. Whip up these adorable Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats and watch your pup scarf them down!

Ingredients 

• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 banana
• 1 egg
• 2 – 2 1/2 cups flour use your choice of flour
• 1/4 cup oats
• green beans cut in half

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a mixer, blend together the pumpkin puree, banana, and egg. Mix until smooth.
3. Slowly add in flour until dough forms (amount will depend on the flour you choose. Dough should be similar to a sugar cookie dough). Fold in oats.
4. Shape dough into ping pong sized balls and flatten slightly with hands. Place on a lined baking sheet.
5. Using a fork, press down on each dough round (similar to making peanut butter cookies). Then place a green bean into the top of each treat.
6. Bake treats until edges begin to brown, about 15-18 minutes.
   *see the full recipe post here. 

Tips for Cooking Pumpkin and Other Hard Squashes

• Those large pumpkins you see in the grocery store are for carving. Only cook with edible pumpkin varieties like those labeled “pie pumpkins.”
• If you are finding it difficult to cut through your pumpkin or other hard squash, prick it a few times with a fork and cook it in the microwave for 2 minutes. This will soften it up so it’s easier to cut through.
• Butternut squash can be peeled with a vegetable peeler. It’s much easier than using a knife!
• Acorn squash can be roasted with the skin on. It’s edible and delicious! The seeds can be roasted like pumpkin seeds.

Thanks for watching! What are your favorite ways to enjoy apples and pumpkins in the fall? Share in the comments below.