Apple Picking in Quebec

Now, I looked at them differently. They were no longer signs of disinterest and gluttony, discarded when he was done with them in the closest possible place.

Now, the apple cores held stories within them.

They told a story of love that was so strong, one just had to dive into it right where they stood; but what once burned so brightly also turned to cinders within a few short breaths.

They told of an appetite for health, an attempt to quench one's thirst with all the juice an apple can offer - until discovering it ended all too briefly.

They told of loss, the emptiness that is left behind when that which we embraced so thoroughly is gone.

They told me of people - how, like apples, our once-perfect form will one day shrink and wither away from everything we have given, everything our loved ones have taken, everything sorrow and pain and boredom ate away at slowly over the years. But even when there's so little left of us, just a core, we will still be there: a memory, a keepsake, a hole in someone's heart.

But most importantly, they told me of my father. How he walks in a dream-like state through our home, always thinking up some new idea or theory. How he eats absent-mindedly, mostly for sustenance, yet when he sits down to a proper meal he enjoys it like no one else can. How thoughtful and dedicated and hard-working he is, while also still being an absolute child at heart. How I admire him and his ability to walk through life so resolutely, that he doesn't even notice all the apple cores he leaves behind.

Two years ago, my father developed an allergic reaction to apples. And so one day, the apple cores stopped... And I admit life felt emptier without them.

So forgive me if looking at these photos of apple picking in Quebec has made me a bit nostalgic. Though there is untold beauty in each picture, I also wanted to remember that these moment were fleeting - and that soon, the perfect apples we gathered would turn into nothing more than a core of their former selves.

But if you're here for the recipes, fear not - below are my favorite apple recipes. It is guaranteed to make any apple lover in your life happy and to leave a few apple cores lying around.

For a range of apple-inspired recipes, start with a simple, clean apple butter—a versatile spread that highlights the natural sweetness of apples. If you're looking for something fresh and crunchy, try the Russian Korean-style kohlrabi and apple salad, a vibrant dish that balances the flavors of crisp apples and kohlrabi. For a heartier option, the roasted beet and apple goat cheese salad brings together earthy beets, tart apples, and creamy goat cheese.

Warm up with a unique artichoke and apple soup, a comforting bowl that pairs the mild, nutty flavor of artichokes with the sweetness of apples. For dessert, there’s a honey apple cake, perfect for those who enjoy natural sweetness. You can also opt for an apple and olive oil cake, which has a moist texture and subtle richness. For a vegan twist, the spiced apple butter cake offers warm spices and a plant-based approach to baking. Round off the spread with almond cranberry cake or cranberry apple streusel muffins, both of which add a tangy cranberry note to the comforting taste of apples.