I'm In Awe Of An Apple

That may seem like a lot of apples, but they were always put to good use. I'm sure Mom and Dad distributed some to family and friends. Mom had plans for most of them, though. Every Sunday Mom would cook up a huge midday meal, and there was always pie. Mom's apple pie is the best I've ever eaten, bar none, and I'm sure it had to do with the variety of apples she used. She would also can some of her apple pie filling for use throughout the year. Although the McIntosh apple pie was amazing, I think the way I enjoy them most is simply to eat them. They are very crisp and juicy with the perfect balance of sweet to tart. What more could you ask of an apple?

Through the years, I have tried nearly every variety of apple I have come across, but hands down, McIntosh apples remain my absolute favorite. I am certain much of my affinity for them stems from the delightful memories of the crisp Sunday drive to New York, the heady aroma on the way home, and the anticipation of biting into one of the red and green beauties right there in the car. I am equally sure that because they were the apples I grew up eating, they define what an apple should taste like to me. In the absence of McIntosh apples at my grocery store right now, I have found the Honeycrisp to be the closest variety to what I love about the McIntosh.

Although apples are - in the grand scheme of things - small potatoes, I would say that my life is enhanced by knowing the McIntosh. As far as the little pleasures in life for which I am thankful, the McIntosh apple is right up there at the top of the tree!