A favorite way to serve fresh from the tree apples in the fall is on a cheese plate. There is nothing quite as satisfying as a thin slice of crisp, tart apple with a buttery cheese. It’s a favorite start or an ending to a meal, and a delicious, nutritious snack. Apples possess a surprising amount of nutrient values that justify the adage, “an apple a day…”
They are low in calories, high in fiber and vitamin C and possess cancer-fighting antioxidants. Health benefits of cheese is often misunderstood, especially when considering farmstead cheeses – cheeses that are made with milk from the farmer’s own herd, or flock, on the farm where the animals are raised on lush green pastures. Cheese is loaded with protein and has beneficial Vitamin K, and “good” Omega 3 fats. Lastly cheese just tastes great and makes you feel good. Also if you are looking for gluten-free options, skip the bread or crackers and serve the cheese right on your fresh, slices of apple.
Cheese goes with most varieties of apples, but cheese department manager Daniel Epstein of Sickles Market’s in Little Silver, said he likes to pair specific varieties of apples with specific cheeses. Epstein also suggests that a cheese plate with apples include other accompaniments such as honey or artisan-cured meats or sausage.
A few suggestions for the meats are the slightly spicy Saucisson Sec by Fabrique Delices, a dry sausage with sea salt, black pepper and garlic. The other is Speck by La Quercia, an applewood smoked, pre-sliced prosciutto or Salametti Secchi, a traditional dry sausage made by Molonari & Sons. All of these artisan-cured meats are American made too.
