Apple (optional)

Description

An apple is a crisp, juicy fruit with a wide range of flavors — from sweet to distinctly tart — and a variety of skins: red, green, or yellow. The flesh can be creamy or firm, with a pleasant aroma that complements both sweet and savory dishes. As an optional ingredient in a recipe, it adds freshness and lightness. Nutritionally, apples are low in calories and provide dietary fiber (mainly pectin), vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, which support digestion, the cardiovascular system, and positively affect blood sugar levels. In the kitchen, they work well raw as a snack and in salads, stewed or baked in desserts, sauces, and compotes, as well as a complement to meats and casseroles. Store apples in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer, without washing them before storing, to prolong freshness; keep them separate from ethylene-sensitive vegetables.