What a little apple can do
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Life was simple growing up in the Okanagan Valley during the 1950s, 60s, 70s and early 80’s.
While it seemed poised to become an active flourishing area thriving on industries such as wood, mining, business and tourism – it was ultimately the orchards and farms that maintained the true awareness of the quiet, friendly valley. For me it was always the orchards and farms that made Kelowna ‘home’ and to help provide us with fabulous food forever.
That awareness hit me on the weekend.
I was sitting on the back porch contemplating what my next HodgePodge should be about. I was humming and hawing and going nowhere with my thoughts and tossing ideas through my brain as I rotated a medium-sized apple in my hand.
“Here take this outside,” Tex said handing it to me, “if and when you feel motivated or kindly inclined, I have several pounds more of them waiting for you to peel. Of course, if you have no taste or desire for apple pie, apple sauce, apple butter, apple cider, apple juice, or apple whatever – then you can just do nothing with it and simple dream of what you could have helped create.”
Well, as it turned out I did very little peeling or helping as Tez spent the better part of two days with preparation work, baking and then freezing, canning, storing …She never stopped being creative, researching in cookbooks or u-tubes. It is absolutely amazing the amount of food one can create with one little vegetable or fruit. Our fridge, freezers, and shelves are loaded with the products mentioned above because of the kindness of friends (apples from Brian and Shannon Prodors) and the hard work of someone like Tez.
To produce so much food from one product (an apple) is an amazing reminder of what we can do if we put our mind to something.
I must admit I am inspired to battle the cold weather elements to see what else I may find in the cold frozen ground to possibly salvage food such as carrots, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic and various herbs.
Thanks Tez for the marvel of this one tiny apple miracle.
