Here’s a suggestion for an unexpected way to savour tasty apples this season: apple Jamaican patties, a recipe inspired by the thousands of seasonal international farm workers from Jamaica and other countries who come every year to help grow and harvest fruit and vegetable crops like apples in our province:

Apple Jamaican Patties

Prep time: 20 minutes + 1 hour rest time
Cook time: 40 minutes
Makes: 6

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 2 cups (500 ml) all purpose flour
• ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) yellow curry powder
• 1 tsp (5 ml) turmeric
• ½ cup (125 ml) cold salted butter, cubed
• 6 tbsp (90 ml) ice-cold water
• 2 tsp (10 ml) distilled white vinegar
• large egg, lightly whisked
• 2 tsp (10 ml) oil

Filling:

• ½ lb (250 g) lean ground beef
• 1 cup (250ml) diced Ontario apples (variety tip – use Gala, Ambrosia, Fuji, or McIntosh)
• small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) jerk seasoning
• 1 tsp (5 ml) each, curry powder, cumin, garlic powder
• ¼ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp (2 ml) each, salt, pepper
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60 mL) water

Directions:

1. First make the dough. In the bowl of a food processor add flour, salt, curry powder, turmeric and butter. Pulse until mixture resembles a course crumble.
2. In a small bowl whisk together water, vinegar and 1 egg. Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and pulse until a ball of dough forms. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Next make the filling. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking meat up as you cook it for 8 minutes.
4. Stir in apples, onions, jerk seasoning, curry powder, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
5. To assemble, on a lightly floured working surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Use cookie cutter to cut out 12 4-inch x 2.5-inch rectangles. Rework the dough as needed.
6. In a small bowl whisk together egg and water to make an egg wash. Lay out six of the rectangles on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
7. Place 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the filling in the centre of each rectangle. Brush edges with egg wash. Place a second rectangle on top of each patty to enclose the filling. Press edge with a fork to seal.
8. Brush the outsides with egg wash and cut small steam holes. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes, or until dough is golden brown.

Ontario apple growers produce more than a dozen varieties of apples, from the classic McIntosh to popular modern favourites like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Ambrosia. Local events, farmers’ markets and on-farm markets are a great way to discover new varieties, meet local growers, and learn more about how apples are grown and harvested.

Here are just a few ways you can enjoy Ontario apples this fall:

• Visit a local orchard for pick-your-own adventures – find one near you using an online tool like the Ontario Apple Growers’ Find an Apple Farm map or your map application
• Support farm markets and roadside stands selling fresh, local apples and cider
• Attend fall fairs that feature apple pies, cider tastings, and baking contests

You can learn more at ofvga.org