APPLES TO APPLES

 

By Linda Lee Greene, Author & Artist

 

Centuries ago, when I was a kid, my gaggle of friends and I, and no tagalong parents, on “Beggars Night/Trick or Treat” of the multi-night Halloween holiday meant that at least one of our neighbor’s door, a candy apple would be the treat du jour. It was a harmless and welcome tradition. By the time my kids were of age to celebrate the holiday, the parameters had changed considerably. Halloween had merged into a one-night affair for kids; they were accompanied by adult attendants to insure their safety against real-life boogie men; and candy apples were a no no. This change was linked to reports in some areas that candy apples were found to have been packed with pins and razor blades. To date, the stories have not been substantiated, which relegates them to “urban legends.” Regardless, the fear persists. In service to even greater caution, over the years children’s participation in the holiday has become a daytime affair primarily and only packaged candy is accepted as handouts. Coronavirus will have an even greater impact on Halloween, altering it in creative ways to respect social distancing and careful hygiene. Nowadays, the best way to enjoy candy apples is to whip up a batch of them in our own home kitchen.

            In researching the subject of candy apples, I came across some fun facts. Wikipedia tells us that they are a common treat at fall festivals and other types of celebrations that occur mainly in the wake of late summer and autumn apple harvests. Their first appearance was the result of a happy experiment of candy shop owner, William W. Kolb of Newark, New Jersey, USA. Supposedly, in the year of 1908 and while brewing up a type of Christmas candy, he dipped some apples into the mixture. He had the wherewithal to place a batch of them in the front window of his shop. Selling them for five cents each, they were so well received that it led to an annual feature reaching into the thousands and as distant as the Jersey Shore, one of New Jersey’s most popular vacation and recreation venues.

Over time, candy apples attained worldwide popularity, extending to Australia; Canada; the United Kingdom; the Republic of Ireland; Japan; and France, where they are called pommes d'amour (apples of love). Brazilians honor John the Apostle in festivals with the treat, which they term maçã-do-amor (apples of love). In Germany, the candy apple is oftenest associated with Christmas, and in Israel with Yom Ha’atzmaut Eve (Israel Independence Day).

Candy apples are made by dipping apples, one at a time, in a heated mixture in water of sugar (white or brown), corn syrup, cinnamon and red food coloring until coated entirely. Place on a parchment paper-covered tray and let cool. Insert a stick lengthy enough to serve as a handle through the core of each apple.©   

                                                                 

#Beggars Night, #Trick or Treat, #Halloween, #candy apples, #William W. Kolb, #Linda Lee Greene, #CRADLE OF THE SERPENT

 

Multi-award-winning author, Linda Lee Greene’s novel, CRADLE OF THE SERPENT, a finalist in the 2018 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS FOR CROSS-GENRE FICTION, is given 5 stars in a reader review that states: “This [novel] is primarily billed as a romance/relationship story but it holds much more including archaeology, Native American Indian history, and strong insights into the life-changing challenges posed by spinal cord injury. As such, it provides much food for thought and the detail underpinning the topics reveals a great deal of thorough research, which adds substantial credibility to the story. I also enjoyed the descriptions of America's natural landmarks and Native American customs, and astrology. The characters are well described and their emotions are palpable to reflect love, pain and despair. Highly recommended.”