Photograph by static-photo on Flickr.

Walking through a farmers' market last weekend, there was no denying that apple season is here. Ginger Gold, Granny Smith, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Fuji, Gala, and, my favorite (and apparently one of the "best apples in the world"), Honeycrisp, are showing up in the familiar crates, begging to be turned into applesauce, apple pie, and cooked with pork chops.

Though picking your own is the preferred way to get your hands on these tasty treats, the farmers' market stand is the next best source, since these apples are also freshly picked. You also can't beat the inexpensive price; reporting from my neck of the woods, apples are about $1 to $1.50 a pound at the farmers' market, $2.50 a pound in a supermarket for an inferior product.

Most recipes will specify the best apple to use for the dish, so educate yourself on the endless varieties before you stock up. Everything about the apple screams that fall is here--so take a bite, chop, roast, and enjoy the next two to three months, when you will get the best of the best (and expect part two to this post later in the season!).

Apple Recipes:

• Applesauce with Bourbon, Sour Cherries, and Hazelnuts
• Old-School Pork Chops with Apple and Sage
• Curried Apple and Potato Soup
• Apple Clafouti [Food Network]
• Baked Apples Stuffed with Honey, Almonds, and Ginger [Epicurious]
• Caramel Lady Apples [101 Cookbooks]