A Is For Autumn Apple Crisp

Since the ABC song is firmly understood by now (did you ever realize after singing them endless times, Ba Ba Black Sheep and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star all share the same melody with the ABC's?), we have moved on to all things phonics. Apple..."ah, ah, ah, what does apple start with?"

Yes, these are the ice breakers to important conversations of late. Conversations that lead us, inevitably, to the kitchen. Because for us, this is where all things seem to come together, a continuous lesson on feeding ourselves, participating in doing so, and hopefully, feeding someone else along the way.

In the wake of pre-reading, our family has experienced something all families do: grief. This is a seemingly helpless state, one which can easily immobilize. Yet, grief can be a time of opportunity. Because despite all the moments in life, easy and very hard, we all must eat.
This is when food can become its own language, one that can speak love and comfort without any words, when there is often little else we may be able to offer.
This also goes for times of celebration: let us bring food, break bread together, and celebrate. What is better than a belly full of food? How about some honey on your tongue? What speaks more than this?

While grief has its own nature, one of autumnal color schemes, food is a thread belonging to an endless spool. It is an opportunity to learn, to give, to celebrate and, to hopefully heal.

Autumn Apple Crisp: 

*4 lbs gala, honey crisp, or assorted apples, peeled, cored, quartered and sliced thin

*3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

*5 Tablespoons raw sugar or honey

*1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

*4 Tablespoons organic all purpose flour

*1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Topping:

*2 sticks unsalted butter, melted (for a vegan version, sub coconut oil)

*1/2 cup honey

*4 cups rolled oats

*1 cup flour

*1 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 375.

Grease a 4 qt or 10x15 baking dish with butter.

Toss apples with lemon juice, sugar, salt, flour, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Transfer to baking dish and spread out evenly.

Meanwhile, whisk the melted butter with the honey in a medium mixing bowl. Add the honey, oats flour and almonds. Spread evenly over the apple mixture.

Bake on center rack for about 45 minutes or until topping becomes dark golden, and apples are very aromatic.

Allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.