Himmel und Erde

Later in October brings my favourite apple, the Golden Russet, one of the legacy apples that you can still find sold in many grocery stores. It's not that popular, you have to search it out in your favourite Farmer's Market, but it's worth it. The taste is far superior to any of the designated supermarket apples that are sold because they travel well and keep long without bruising or having spots. Himmel is German for Heaven, it's the apples in this dish, while Erde is German for Earth, it's the potatoes. Quite tasty a combination. My Dad tells of the story of how Germans were tricked into trying potatoes, nowadays they eat their fair share of potatoes, but they are not native to Germany and were rejected by most. So, the King devised a method, where he surrounded the potato patch with high walls and guards, and the peasants, seeing this food guarded, climbed the walls and stole some in the night, and so learned to like potatoes. The vinegar in this gives it a nice bite in contrast to the sweetness of the apples.

Himmel und Erde
1 kg potatoes
325 g apples
375 mL water
Tbsp sugar
Tbsp vinegar
salt to taste

Wash and peel the potatoes, then cube them. Peel and core the apples, then cut into eighths.

Place the cubed potatoes and the water in a pot. Bring the water to boil, add some salt, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the apples, then raise the heat and bring to a boil again. Turn off the heat and leave for 10 minutes. Pour off the water.

Stir the potatoes and apples well. Season to taste with salt, a little sugar and some vinegar.

You can also fry up a little bacon and a small diced onion, stirring it into the potatoes.