When you combine two Delicious apples you’d expect the result to be nothing less than a mouth-watering masterpiece. That’s exactly what you get when you bite into the crisp, refreshing Cameo apple.
History
Darrel Caudle discovered Cameo apples in the 1980s on his property in Washington. The Cameo tree started as a chance seedling that appeared after Caudle planted Red Delicious trees. Because of the surrounding trees, this tart apple is believed to be a relative of the Red and Golden Delicious. Today they are harvested in Wenatchee and Yakima, Washington in October through June.
Appearance
The hearty, crisp apple has a smooth, firm red and cream striped skin. The variety has a deep, juicy, sweet flavor with hints of citrus and a slightly tangy finish. When picking out Cameos in the produce aisle, look for apples that feel solid and heavy. You can test the quality of the apple by holding it in the palm of your hand. Avoid squeezing it with your fingers or thumbs. Once you get the apples home, make sure you store them in the fridge for the best results.
Usage
This variety is great for eating out of hand and prime for cooking with too. You can add them to quiche, polenta, cobblers, pizzas, pastries, and pies. Cameo apples pair great with savory and peppery flavors like squash, bacon, pears, chili peppers, pork, nuts, and goat, cheddar, and ricotta cheeses.
For a healthy snack chop up a Cameo apple and toss it in with berries. After you’ve done that, layer them with yogurt and granola for a quick parfait. Top it off with pecans and honey for an extra boost of flavors and nutrients. Cameo apples can also be made into mouth-watering chutney. To make this Indian inspired sauce, chop up Cameo apples and sauté them with onion, ginger, cumin, coriander seed, and vinegar. Serve it over pork chops and enjoy.
Wine Pairing
But, perhaps the best ingredient of all to pair this apple with is one that is sipped, not eaten. This wine friendly apple goes great with Chardonnay, Riesling, Chianti, Merlot and Pinot Noir.
Nutrition
These crisp and crunchy apples are only 80 calories. Cameo apples are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium. Incorporating one of this tasty treats into your daily diet provides you with a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C, which helps protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is also a vital component in the production of collagen, a protein required to help wounds heal.
