Cranberry Apple Crisp

 
DID YOU KNOW? Native Americans have created Full Moon names to help different tribes track the seasons. Think of it as a “nickname” for the Moon!

NATIVE AMERICAN FULL MOON NAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS

The Full Moon Names used in the Farmers Almanac come from the Algonquin tribes who lived in regions from New England to Lake Superior. They are the names the Colonial Americans adapted most. Note that each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred.

January- Full Wolf Man This full Moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. To some Native American tribes, this was the Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next full Moon, in February.

February- Full Snow Man Usually the heaviest snows fall in February. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some Native American tribes, this was the Hunger Moon.

March- Full Worm Moon At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. This is also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.

April- Full Pink Moon This full Moon heralded the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.

May- Full Flower Moon Flowers spring forth in abundance this month. Some Algonquin tribes knew this full Moon as the Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.

June-Full Strawberry Moon The Algonquin tribes knew this Moon as a time to gather ripening strawberries. It is also known as the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon.

July- Full Buck Moon  Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. This full Moon was also known as the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.

August- Full Sturgeon Moon Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. Others called it the Green Corn Moon.

September- Full Corn Moon This full Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It is also called the Barley Moon, because it is the time to harvest and thresh the ripened barley. The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox, which can occur in September or October and is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores.

October- Full Hunter's Moon This is the month when the leaves are falling and the game is fattened. Now is the time for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the long winter ahead. October’s Moon is also known as the Travel Moon and the Dying Moon.

November- Full Beaver Moon For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. This full Moon was also called the Frost Moon.

December- Full Cold Moon This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark. This full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by some Native American tribes.

and so by the light of the moon add this fall treat to your evening meal.

Cranberry Apple Crisp

Cook's notes: A scoop of ice cream is the piece de resistance. I used a 9 x9 inch glass pan for this recipe,

Filling Ingredients:

• 5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced.
• 1/2 bag fresh cranberries (6 oz.)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Zest of one orange
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking dish 8x8 or 9x9. 

For filling:

• Whisk together brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, zest, flour, and cinnamon. Stir in apples and cranberries. Spread evenly in a baking dish.

For topping:

• Stir together oats, nuts, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
• Work in butter with hands until pea-sized or add topping ingredients to the food processor and pulse a few times.
• Sprinkle evenly over apple-cranberry mixture.
• Bake 25 minutes or until cranberries are bubbling and topping is lightly golden.