September signals the beginning of apple season, when not only can we get our fill of fresh, locally grown apples, but we can also get them straight from the tree. Pick your own apple farms and orchards offer the perfect opportunity to bring together family and friends of all ages for a fun, active, and invigorating day outdoors. After a morning at the farm, you can invite your guests over to relax with a glass of apple cider or appletinis and enjoy a variety of delicious dishes, from appetizers to desserts that incorporate your freshly picked apples.

Here are some creative apple themed recipe ideas:

• Butternut Squash and Apple Soup - Blend Summer Fresh Butternut Squash Soup with roasted apple purée, heat, and serve.

• Apple wedges with Blue Cheese and Pecans - Stir finely chopped toasted pecans into Summer Fresh Blue Cheese Dip and drizzle over fresh apples cut into wedges.

• Baked Brie with Cranberry Bruschetta and Apples - Combine chopped apples with sliced almonds and Summer Fresh Cranberry Bruschetta. Cut Brie in half horizontally and top one half with half of the Cranberry Bruschetta and apple mixture. Top with the other half of the brie and spread remaining cranberry bruschetta mixture over top. Bake the brie in an oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes until the cheese just starts to soften and melt. Serve with toasted sliced baguette or flatbreads.

• Butternut Squash and Apple Chutney - Cook finely diced apples in a pan lightly drizzled with oil over medium heat until apples soften and begin to brown. Combine cooked apples with Summer Fresh Roasted Butternut Squash Dip and use as a topping for pork or chicken.

• Creamy Curry Apple Quinoa Salad - Toss chopped peeled apples with Summer Fresh Multigrain Quinoa Salad. Stir in a tablespoon of Summer Fresh Madagascar Dip for a creamy sweet curry dressing.

• Burgers with Apple Coleslaw - Add peeled, julienne apples to Summer Fresh Picnic Coleslaw and add to your favourite hamburger. You can also add this apple coleslaw to wraps.

• Mini Roast Beef Sandwiches with Apple and Arugula Pestoz - Slice a baguette lengthwise and place a layer of thinly sliced apples on one half of the baguette. Generously layer strips of roast beef on top of the apples and top with small dollops of Summer Fresh Arugula Pestoz. Replace the top of the baguette and slice diagonally into mini sandwiches, holding the sandwiches together with a toothpick if desired.

• Apple & Wild Rice Stuffing - Mix diced baked apples with Summer Fresh Wild Rice with Cranberry & Butternut Squash and use as a stuffing for chicken or turkey. This also makes a great warm side served with pork.