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Celebrating 'Apple-Atcha', Inside Appalachia

Emily Hilliard from Nothing in the House Pie Blog
courtesy Emily Hilliard
Emily Hilliard from Nothing in the House Pie Blog
Emily Hilliard from Nothing in the House Pie Blog
Credit courtesy Emily Hilliard
Emily Hilliard from Nothing in the House Pie Blog

Here in Appalachia, it’s apple season. Did you know that Golden Delicious Apples originated right here in West Virginia? In fact, apples are our state fruit. Apples have been a major agricultural industry for the Mountain State. 

But according to the Department of Agriculture, the apple industry has decreased in West Virginia since 2010. In particular the Eastern Panhandle, the land that was used to grow apples is experiencing a real estate boom. 

So in the last few years more and more farmers have been selling their land and getting out of the farming industry. In honor of apple season, we're going to listen back to an episode that originally aired in 2016, celebrating Apple-Atcha.  In this episode we talk with Josh Bennett and Will Lewis, founders of Hawk Knob Cider, in Lewisburg West Virginia, about reviving this time-honored drink.

Apples are for more than just cider, and some say that there is nothing more American than apple pie. So we talked to Emily Hilliard, the state folklorist of West Virginia and author of the pie blog Nothing in the House, about what goes into making a traditional apple pie, as well as a fig and goat cheese tart. Emily's pie crust was also featured in a new cookbook called Victuals: An Appalachian Journey with Recipes

Nothing in the House Pie Crust

This is the standard crust recipe Emily Hilliard uses for most pies that call for a pastry crust. It makes enough for 1 double-crust pie. If you only need a single crust, halve the recipe, or make a full recipe and save half of the dough for a future pie by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and storing it the freezer or fridge.

Ingredients

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (or 1 c. all-purpose + 1 c. whole-wheat pastry flour*)

1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 sticks COLD unsalted butter (12 tablespoons), cut into slices

1/2 beaten large egg, cold (save the other half to brush on top of the crust)

1/4 cup ice-cold water

1/2 tablespoon cold apple cider vinegar (I keep mine in the fridge) 

Fig and plum tart
Credit courtesy Emily Hilliard
Fig and plum tart

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or fork and knife, cut in the butter. You want to make sure butter chunks remain, as that's what makes the crust flaky.

2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the COLD liquid ingredients (Using cold liquids ensures that your butter will not melt--another crucial detail for a flaky crust!).

3. Pour the liquid mixture into the flour-butter mixture and combine using a wooden spoon. Mix until dough comes together, but is not overly mixed (it should be a little shaggy). Form into a ball, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and let chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before rolling out.

*If you use whole wheat pastry flour, you may need to add additional liquid.

Apple Cider

Also in this episode we talk with Josh Bennett and Will Lewis, founders of Hawk Knob Cider, in Lewisburg West Virginia, about reviving this time-honored drink. 

Copyright 2018 West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Jessica Lilly
Jessica Lilly covers southern West Virginia for West Virginia Public Radio and can be heard weekdays on West Virginia Morning, the station’s daily radio news program and during afternoon newscasts.
Roxy Todd
Roxy Todd is a reporter and co-producer for Inside Appalachia and has been a reporter for West Virginia Public Broadcasting since 2014. Her stories have aired on NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Marketplace. She’s won several awards, including a regional AP Award for best feature radio story, and also two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for Best Use of Sound and Best Writing for her stories about Appalachian food and culture.