Cooler evening temperatures, clear, crisp mornings and splendid leaf displays are all signals that autumn is here and the balmy days of summer are past. For some, one of the most memorable autumn activities is heading out to the local orchards. A favourite pastime of schoolchildren, families and apple-lovers, picking apples right off the tree is a Canadian rite of passage. Beginning in late August and continuing through to October, Canadian apple varieties ripen one after another for an abundance of great crunching and baking in waiting.

Apple season is also the time of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, a celebration of the start of the month of Tishrei in the Jewish lunar calendar. Rosh Hashanah traditions are rich and plentiful. One custom is to eat apples and honey, which symbolize the hope of a good and sweet New Year. Interestingly, it always coincides with the ripening of early McIntosh apples -- their crisp tartness is a perfect foil for sweet honey.

Ah, apple season, so much to look forward to. So take a trip to the orchards, wade through a pile of crispy leaves, get out your apple recipes (or try ours below) and enjoy our Canadian splendour.

Recipes:
• Better-Than-Ever Apple Pie
• Maple Apple and Blueberry Crisp
• Apple Plum Raisin Strudel
• Apple Cinnamon Pizza