[1] Sweet and crunchy apple, celery and peanut salad. The recipe is below (photo and recipe © Gelson’s Markets).

[2] Sliced apples go right into the salad. The dressing keeps them from browning (photo © Stemilt).

[3] A spinach, apple and goat cheese salad with pecans. You can add cheese and nuts to just about any apple salad (photo © Evolution Fresh).

[4] Beet, spinach and apple salad. Here’s the recipe (photo © Butterball).

October 21st is National Apple Day. Sure, it’s easy to buy an apple pie, or have a glass of apple cider or mulled cider, or an Appletini. But our tip is: Make one of these apple salad recipes.

Some of our other favorite apple recipes are apple sorbet and baked apples. While they aren’t labor-intensive, they do take some effort.

Here’s an idea that tasks very little effort: a creative lunch or side salad with apples.

The salad recipe below, from Gelson’s Market, combines crisp apples, crunchy celery, pungent scallions, roasted peanuts, fresh parsley, and slivers of red jalapeño.

The result: a blend of sweet, nutty, and spicy flavors with outstanding crunch.

It’s tossed with lemon juice and olive oil, a simple but yummy dressing that helps the apples hold their color.

 
Tip From Gelson’s: This salad travels really well. The lemon dressing keeps the apples fresh. Take it on outings, bring it to work for lunch.

> There are six more apple salad recipes below, each one very different from the next.

> The history of apples.
 
 
RECIPE: APPLE, CELERY & PEANUT SALAD

If you’re a fennel fan, you can exchange it for all or some of the celery. If you don’t like peanuts, substitute cashews or pecans.
 
Ingredients For 4 Servings

 
Preparation

1. SOAK the celery and scallions in ice water for 20 minutes. This makes the celery extra crisp and encourages the scallions to curl.

2. DRAIN the water, dry the veggies on paper towels, and transfer them to a large salad bowl.

3. ADD the apples, jalapeños, and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, black pepper, and lemon juice, as needed.

4. ADD half of the peanuts, half of the parsley leaves and the olive oil. Toss to combine.

5. GARNISH the salad with the remaining peanuts and parsley and a drizzle of olive oil. Chill until cold before serving, about 15 minutes.
 
 
MORE APPLE SALAD RECIPES

 
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*The SweeTango is a cross between the Honeycrisp apple and the Zestar. Both Honeycrisp and SweeTango were developed by the University of Minnesota.