Apple Turnovers

While I am located far from the current nor'easter, I have survived enough of them to know what my northern friends are dealing with today. My summer home could get up to two feet of snow, and there's a good chance that more power lines will go down. While most of my friends are posting weather maps and outage charts on social media, I noticed that more than a few are posting pictures and recipes of comfort food! From potato-corn chowder to apple turnovers, there is a passion to get some cooking and baking done before the power goes out.

So I was thinking about apple turnovers. And apple pies. And apple everything: pandowdies, buckles, slumps, crisps, and grunts. Give a baker some apples, pastry dough, sugar, and spice, and soon you will have food as tempting as Eve's apple. But unlike Eve's fall from grace, the only consequence one will have to face post-winter is the removal of a few extra pounds, courtesy of the sugar and starch consumed. When spring arrives, there will be a need to turn over a new leaf.

(I heard that groan.)

And while we're on the subject of turnovers, let's talk about the latest ones. (You knew this is where I was headed, didn't you?) Gary Cohn's departure as Chief Economic Adviser in the current administration revived the conversation about chaos in our White House. With his resignation, a full 43% of top level positions have seen turnover. "That is not normal," said NPR, stating the obvious. If you want additional numbers, google Rachel Maddow's "Departure Board" for the latest exits. I found it too overwhelming to count. Like counting calories, you know? The more you count, the worse the consequences and the more depressed you get.

I don't really want to upset the apple cart by inserting politics into a post about yummy pastries. But surely, you have considered that one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel? The decomposition of our government, the deterioration of ethics and morals, and the decay of democracy started somewhere, didn't it? I know who the one bad apple is, despite the fact that he is often referred to as an orange.

Simpatico with my homies, I am considering doing some cooking or baking. Although I have no apples on hand, I have some purple cauliflower, Florida corn, eggplant and portobellos in my larder. Surely, I can make something good out of my produce? Might not be a turnover, but comforting nonetheless.

Stay safe and warm and well-fed, my northern friends. Spring will be here soon, right? You will be discovering crocus and daffodils under the melting snow before you know it. And if you are fortunate enough to have an apple tree in your yard, there is a promise of blossoms to come.

How do you like them apples?