As we transition into fall, apples of every color are showing up at farmers markets. This is an exciting time of year in terms of produce, because summer fruits are phasing out just as autumn fruits are phasing in.
If you like to make juice or smoothies, apples are a gem of an ingredient. Their agreeable flavor, water content and high nutritional value can improve pretty much any green juice. They go well with kale, beets, carrots and lemons, making them the perfect partner for less-tasty “superfoods”.
Anyway, I digress.
Lately, we’ve been receiving an intriguing mix of produce from our weekly box of community-supported agriculture. Cucumbers and herbs signify the end of the summer, while apples and pears mean that autumn is approaching.
So why not combine them in one delicious, healthy, and soothing green juice? This recipe is so simple and easy, but the results are marvelous.
Late Summer Green Apple Juice with Cucumber and Mint
Ingredients:
- 2 green apples
- 2 small cucumbers (any kind)
- leaves from 4-5 sprigs of fresh mint
- 1-2 cups ice cold water
The best thing about this juice is how unbelievably fresh it tastes. It’s tangy from the apples, cooling from the mint, and soothing from the cucumbers.
Instructions:
Chop the apples and cucumbers as small as they need to be for your blender. If you have a low-powered blender, dice your ingredients so as to not overheat.
Pour all ingredients, including 1 cup of water, into your blender and blend until smooth. For milder flavor, add more water.
You can drink the juice straight up, but mint is pretty fibrous and the pulp can obstruct the flavor. Use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the thicker pulp (don’t worry– the juice will still be packed with smaller fibers and soluble fiber). Discard the pulp, or use as compost.
Finally, pour the juice over ice and drink up!
