[Photo: Robyn Lee]

One of the earliest fruits ever to be cultivated, the apple has come a long way from its humble beginnings and is now the product of a multi-billion dollar industry. About 55 million tons of apples were cultivated in 2009, with a net value of about $10 billion. (Apple a day? A lot of you are eating more than that.)

They're juiced, milled for apple cider and filtered for apple juice. The famous fruit also plays a key role as a filling for numerous tasty desserts, ranging from apple crisp to the ever-popular apple pie. Would food (or life) be the same without the apple? We think not. And there's no better time of the year to eat them.

Apple Recipes

• Apple Galette
• Shredded Beet, Apple, And Currant Salad With Apple Vinaigrette
• Pork Roast En Cocotte With Apples And Shallots
• Apple-Brined And Smoked Turkey
• Pork Chops With Tomatillo And Green Apple Sauce
• Baked Apples With Barley-Sausage Pilaf
• Ham, Brie, And Apple French Toast Panini

How do you like 'dem apples?