By United Supermarkets Dietitian Team
It’s September and we all know what that means… the first day of fall is here! With fall upon us we think of our favorite fall treats, pumpkin spice lattes, hot apple cider, fresh baked apples, and so much more! Along with our favorite fall treats, we get new seasonal fruits and vegetables in stores. A great fruit to keep around for baking, eating fresh, and canning is (you probably guessed it) apples.
Apples originated in Central Asia and are now grown around the world. One medium apple (about 3 inches around) is only about 95 calories, and provides about 4 grams of fiber, 195 milligrams of potassium, and other important vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Apples can be sweet or tart depending on the type of apple and come in a variety of colors.
There are so many different varieties of apples, all with their own lovable characteristics. Some are great for baking with, others are best for making applesauce or apple butter, and some are good for just snacking. Some favorite apples that are typically ready in early to mid-September are McIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Autumn Crisp apples. Gala and Honeycrisp are great for desserts and eating, while McIntosh is good for baking, and Autumn Crisp is good for eating, cooking, and salads!
One popular entrée pairing with applesauce is pork chops. The sweet and savory combination makes for a great dinner and family favorite, although sometimes applesauce is a bit too basic. That’s why we’ve come up with this recipe for a spin on the traditional pork chops and applesauce. This recipe still pairs pork chops and apples but also adds another fall favorite, acorn squash! Go ahead and give it a try with your favorite apples today!
Pork Chops with Sautéed Apples and Acorn Squash
What You Need
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1/2 lb. Pork Chops
- 1 Medium Apple
- 1/2 Large Acorn Squash
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 2 Dashes of Apple Pie Spice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
How It’s Made
1. Heat a large plan over medium-high heat with 1 Tbsp oil.
2. Season protein with salt and pepper as desired.
3. Brown pork chop until internal temperature reads 165.
4. Dice apples in 1/2 inch cubes.
5. Dice Acorn Squash in 1/2 inch cubes.
6. In the same pan as the pork chops, put in 1 Tbsp oil.
7. Add in apples, acorn squash, garlic powder, apple pie spice, and salt and pepper as desired.
8. Let cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
9. Plate it by serving the produce on the bottom and meat sitting on top.
