We started our circle this week talking about food advertising and the role marketing plays in a consumer economy like the one we have in the United States. Many students were able to recall jingles or mascots they’ve seen representing everything from the importance of daily servings of fruit and vegetables to Coca-Cola products. (Ads for Airheads Candy also seemed to make a strong impression.) We then watched a video from Vox called The Quest for the Perfect Apple about the rise of trademarked apples developed for their taste and texture and the consumer response to them (spoiler alert: the apples have been popular).
In the kitchen, everyone got busy chopping apples. We used a mix of Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, Jazz, and Pacific Rose varieties so that our final dish, applesauce, would have depth of flavor and showcase both the tart and sweet qualities that make apples so tasty. We love this recipe because it’s most fun when made in a group, employs the nutritious apple skins, doesn’t need any added sugar, and is so simple. We’re grateful we had a sweet last class before the school closures. Stay safe, everyone, and we will see you back in the kitchen soon!
