National Apple Turnover Day

The story

National Apple Turnover Day invites us to savor a pastry with a rich history dating back to the 17th century. These delectable treats, also known as hand pies for their portability, have become a beloved part of our culinary culture. Apple turnovers are made by filling a small, flaky pie crust with a delicious apple mixture, folding it in half, and sealing the edges before baking or frying.

For that extra touch of sweetness, a dusting of sugar or a drizzle of icing is often added. The history of National Apple Turnover Day is shrouded in mystery, much like the exact origin of the apple turnover itself. However, we can trace the popularity of this delightful treat back to the 17th century when it emerged in Saint-Calais, a French town in the Sarthe region.

The townspeople, facing an epidemic, were aided by the chatelaine who distributed flour, butter, and apples. With these simple ingredients, they crafted apple turnovers, and the town's fortunes slowly improved. Today, the town commemorates this with the 'Chaussons aux Pommes' (Apple Turnover) Festival.

As we delve deeper into history, we discover that apple turnovers made their way into English cookbooks in the 1750s, a testament to their popularity with the public. These early recipes often featured Granny Smith apples, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon, and phyllo sheets. Local bakeries and restaurants began selling apple turnovers, eventually leading to a global phenomenon where different cultures embraced their own versions, such as dim sum in China, samosas in India, and empanadas in Spain.