Julian Apples

Last week some friends and I went up to Ravin Hill Orchard in Julian, CA to pick apples. Patrick, the man who was tending the orchard, insists that Julian apples should never be cooked in a pie. It amused me to watch my friends proceed to ignore his expert advice and plan a backing party anyway.

Apples grown in Julian have the advantage of southern California weather, where it snows for five minutes a year and the sun shines a lot. These conditions produce a sweet appley apple that does not need the assistance of sugar and spice. So I agree with Patrick, you shouldn't bake these apples. Instead I enjoy mine raw either alone or in a simple salad.

Apple Salad:
3small apples (I got mostly Empires)
lemon juice
almonds slivered
spices (ginger and cinnamon work well)
yogurt
tahini

Mix in equal parts yogurt and tahini (I do three spoonfuls of each) toss in the rest of the ingredients. Enjoy.