Today is a wonderful Holiday to share with Homeschoolers as we celebrate March 11 Johnny Appleseed Day #JohnnyAppleseedDay. I don’t know about you but this Holiday is making me think of Apples and a Apple Pie which I may help Charlie make in our Homeschool Cooking Class. Would you like a slice of our Apple Pie? With or without Cheese? With or without Ice Cream?
National Johnny Appleseed Day falls on March 11 every year. National Johnny Appleseed Day honors the life of American conservationist and nurseryman John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Appleseed was a folk hero who was instrumental in introducing Apple trees to large parts of the United States. Johnny Appleseed’ Day ‘s story has been mythologized commonly as a children’s folk tale, with many questioning whether he existed or not. Johnny Appleseed Day did, though, and he is revered as a figure who helped alter America’s natural and agricultural landscape with his Apple tree fields.
To really know who Johnny Appleseed was, we must first look at the myths. Jonny Appleseed was born on September 26, 1774, in Massachusetts as John Chapman. Jonny Appleseed first developed a passion for Apples following an apprenticeship under a local Apple orchardist. This experience inspired him to set out West to share his knowledge about Apples and plant as many trees as he could. A very religious man, he saw his efforts to spread Apple trees as a way for him to help alleviate world hunger.
The most popular myth about Appleseed is that he merrily traveled across the United States, usually on foot, spreading Apple seeds wherever he went. In reality, Appleseed took a more proper approach of planting nurseries of saplings on tracts of land that he purchased. Jonny Appleseed would place the care of the nursery to a neighbor or friend whenever he traveled.
Another myth is that Appleseed planted Apple trees across the United States. The truth, however, is that Jonny Appleseed primarily planted trees in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia. It is believed that Jonny Appleseed planted more than 100,000 square miles of Apple trees. However, the Apples that grew from his trees were not the sweet variety that is commonly eaten. These Apples were primarily the small, sour ones mainly used for making Apple Cider. Apple Cider was an important beverage for American pioneers as many did not have access to clean drinking Water on their travels.
Appleseed was known in his lifetime as an eccentrically dressed, shrewd businessman who possessed a knack for predicting where pioneer settlers would settle and planting nurseries in these areas. Soon, word of his exploits spread, and the legend was born. Appleseed is viewed as an important figure in American history. This is not only because of Johhny Appleseed’s agricultural work but also for his efforts in helping to ensure the success of migration and altering the natural landscape.
NATIONAL JOHNNY APPLESEED DAY ACTIVITIES
- To celebrate National Johnny Appleseed Day is to celebrate the Apple itself. Whether eaten whole or used in a variety of dishes including Pie, Cobbler, and Cakes, there’s no better way to celebrate the Apple than by savoring a Apple or two.
- If you prefer your Apples in liquid form, why not brew Apple Cider to share with family and friends to celebrate National Jonny Appleseed Day. .
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT APPLES
- Some of the most famous Apples in history include Isaac Newton’s gravity-defining Apple, Eve’s “forbidden” Apple, and, of course, Steve Jobs’ Apple brand.
- There are more than 7,500 to 8,000 Apple varieties in the world, with 2,500 Apples grown in the United States
- Apple’s are the perfect healthy snack and the average Apple holds about 80 calories.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL JOHNNY APPLESEED DAY
- National Johnny Appleseed Day draws attention to Apples which are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and K, and are always a healthy snack alternative.
- By bringing Apple trees to large parts of the United States, Appleseed was also fulfilling his religious duties as someone who brings goods to the Earth. Driven by his love for his fellow man, his God, and the ground beneath his feet, Appleseed managed to bring change and happiness to many lives through his good work.
Recipe for Apple Pie:
Ingredients
Crust
- 1box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box
Filling*
- 6cups thinly sliced, peeled apples (6 medium)
- 3/4cup sugar
- 2tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4teaspoon salt
- 1/8teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1tablespoon lemon juice
- Heat oven to 425°F. Place 1 pie crust in ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate. Press firmly against side and bottom.
- In large bowl, gently mix filling ingredients; spoon into crust-lined pie plate. Top with second crust. Wrap excess top crust under bottom crust edge, pressing edges together to seal; flute. Cut slits or shapes in several places in top crust.
- Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. Cover edge of crust with 2- to 3-inch wide strips of foil after first 15 to 20 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Cool on cooling rack at least 2 hours before serving
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
