An apple a day... Well, perhaps not these.

Who doesn’t love autumn?  Fall leaves, cooler weather, yummy pumpkin stuff, and those fabulous, cinnamon scented pine cones every store has stocked right inside the door so you’re greeted with their lovely aroma as you enter.  On top of that, it’s the season for corn, melons, and APPLES!!  Caramel apples, bobbing for apples, apple cider, apple pie, and the list goes on.  One of my favorite things, apple season or not, is spiced apples.  We called them fried apples when I was a kid, and for as long as I can remember, they’ve been a special treat.  Go to the farm stand and get some apples, because I’m going to show you just how easy they are to make.  

Here’s what you’ll need:

4 medium apples
2 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 ½ Tablespoons sugar

That thing on top of the butter that looks a bit like a nut, is nutmeg.  I’ve probably said this before, but always use fresh grated nutmeg.  You can get a nutmeg grater on Amazon for less than $5, and you can buy whole nutmeg with the rest of the spices.  If you’ve never tried it, you’ll be blown away by the difference.  Ok, onto the star of the show, the apples.  Start by peeling them, then cut off the four sides, leaving the core behind. 

Thinly slice the pieces. 

I recommend using more than one kind of apple.  I’m using a combination of golden delicious and macintosh apples, and as you can see, they are even different in color on the inside. 

In a skillet over medium heat, melt your butter.  When it’s nice and hot and bubbly, sprinkle on the cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Why not sprinkle the spices on the apples?  Well, hot oil is magical for spices.  It really brings out their flavors.  Mix them into the butter and add the apples, stirring to coat them evenly.

They don’t look very pretty at first, but cover them, turn the heat to low, and leave them for 5 minutes.  When you come back, they’ve transformed into this.

I like to add the sugar at the end so that it doesn’t burn, so go ahead and sprinkle it on now. 

Stir it in and you have spiced apples.  You can eat them all by themselves.

Or you can put them on your favorite hot cereal. 

Or, you can have one of the best breakfasts ever, and put them over fresh made waffles. 

However you choose to eat them, they are a delicious introduction to fall.  What is your favorite way to enjoy the season?