Fuji Apple Chop Salad

Thanks to seven days of rain, we are now featuring “freshly-washed” Fuji apples on the trees at Eckert’s. Wow, the sunshine sure feels and looks good today!! On my way down the driveway this morning, I stopped to pick a few Fuji while dangling out my car window. I was thrilled to find Fuji apples at peak sweetness and crunch – a little piece of Heaven on my way to the Country Store! I will definitely be picking more tonight because they taste amazing and store beautifully.

Fuji is the best variety of apple for long-storing.  I love hearing stories from customers who have kept them in their refrigerator for months with a damp towel. This is a great week to pick and keep them on hand for the winter months (Warning: You might need to buy another refrigerator once you taste the Fujis.)

My morning picking experience inspired a lunch plan! Freshly picked Fujis are packed with crunch and sweetness making them a natural partner for a fresh greens salad. I adore this recipe because the dressing compliments the sweet apples and dried cranberries perfectly. Eckert’s bacon takes it up a notch with a hint of smokiness and the blue cheese appeals to my salty side.

I enjoyed this salad for lunch but it is also a tasty entrée salad. Kick up the bacon or add chicken to make it a meal. If you are a Fuji-lover, give this salad a try- sweet, salty, smokey goodness is in store for you!

Eat well this fall, Angie

Ingredients

• Dressing Ingredients:
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
• Salad Ingredients:
• 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 Fuji apples, cored and chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped fine
• ¾ cup shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 6 oz blue cheese crumbles
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 4 slices of Eckert’s crisply cooked bacon, chopped

Instructions

1. Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Stir or shake until well combined. Mix salad ingredients in a large bowl. Toss well with dressing and transfer to large serving platter. Serves 6-8.