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Snoboy Knows
Opals are bright yellow, not to be confused with the paler yellow parent the Golden Delicious. Their skin will show russeting, or yellowish-brown skin or patches. Their creamy flesh is crispy, soft, and tastes sweet and tangy. Getting a whiff of an opal’s aroma will remind you of a floral bouquet.
Taco Tuesday normally spans lunch and dinner, but opal apples will help you take it into dessert time. This doesn’t mean that they can’t be a great addition to lunch dishes such as salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or a snack, right out of the hand. And, obviously, they make delicious pies, cakes, and tarts.
These apples are available from November to March. They were developed in the Czech Republic in the 1990s, but their debut in the United States came in 2010 by Broetje Orchards in Washington, which owns the exclusive rights to the variety.
Place your opal apples in a fruit or crisper drawer. If you don’t have one, an uncovered container or bowl in the back of the fridge will do. Refrigerated, they’ll last a few months at most. When stored at room temperature in a fruit bowl or on the counter, they will keep for three days or so.