Fall has to be my favorite foodie season. Spring is exciting, with new crops popping up. Summer gives us the first produce from the garden, but fall takes the cake with the full bounty of the harvest to enjoy. Many crops are ideal right now, my favorite of which has to be apples. Perhaps it is because I grew up in the biggest apple producing state in the country, or maybe it’s because I love apple pie to the point of subbing it out for a normal breakfast in the morning. Either way there are few things that are synonymous with the season like apples in the fall. The versatility of this tree fruit is what has the most appeal for me. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, each variety having their own unique set of taste attributes (there are over 2,500 different varietals of apples grown in the U.S. alone). To honor the season and my favorite fruit, Dishing has come up with a list of some of our favorite apple centric dishes on both sides of the taste spectrum to inspire you this fall.
Sweet: When it comes to apples and dessert, it seems like apple pie gets all the credit. It is a great American dish, but apples can be so much more than that, as plenty of places around Jackson embrace the sweeter side of the apple. Rene Stein, head chef at The Rose, is a master of using local and seasonal ingredients in his dishes. His dessert featuring local apples is something not to be missed, try it at the Sub Rosa Wednesday tastings or after dinner Thursday through Sunday.
Dessert at the Rose
Nom Nom Doughnuts have taken over Jackson’s Sweet tooth. Their apple fritters will get you hooked, find them at one of their many retail locations including Cowboy Coffee, Creekside Market, Aspens Market, Pearl St Market or the Jackson Hole Resort General Store in the winter. If you are looking for a dessert to warm your soul in the winter the Alpenhof has your ticket. Their Warmer Apfelstrudel is a homemade bundle of deliciousness sure to satisfy after a day on the slopes.
Apple Fritter from Nom Nom
It wouldn’t be fair to talk about apple desserts without including a good old fashioned apple pie. The Bunnery has been making their recipe fresh at their Cache street location for years. Cafe Genevieve has a little apple duo for dessert. Their beer batter fried apples come with mascarpone and boiled cider. If you are looking to get your apple on at breakfast time, The Silver Dollar Bar and Grill has you covered. Try their apple brioche French toast with caramelized Pink Lady apples. Gather serves up a great apple dessert with their take on a Monte Cristo: brandy sugar, chantilly cream and coriander sugar highlight this plate.
Not So Sweet: Apples don’t have to be used for strictly dessert purposes. Their texture, tartness, and sweetness give them versatility in savory dishes as well. King Sushi is known for their fresh and inventive rolls. Get yourself in the fall spirit with the JuJu roll, a great combination of Hamachi, green apple, avocado and smoked sea salt. Persephone Bakery is celebrating the season by a couple apple centric options for retail. Check out their apple cider syrup or apple cider caramels, they make great gifts for any fall birthdays. Apples go great in salad as a flavor and textural component. The Rendezvous Bistro shows off their versatility perfectly with their wagyu beef roulade that is served with swiss chard, garlic and green apples. Few things go better with apples than cheese. The Alpenhof fondue is a great testament to that, served with Granny Smith apples and bread it is the best apres ski meal in the Tetons.
Fondue set up at the Aplenhof
