National WHAT Day?

Did you know?
That Today, July 5 is celebrated as National Apple Turnover Day?

Says Who?
It's listed on the National Day Calendar website, which is full of unusual, forgotten and newly-created celebrations.

This American treat was first "discovered" in the 19h century. The process of making an apple turnover is simple. The pastry is made by putting apple filling onto dough, folding it over, sealing it and then baking. You can use either freshly cut or canned apples. They can also be fried. It's celebrated by making and/or eating an apple turnover. Or, skip the baking part and find a bakery or super market that has them already made.Enjoy.

Apple Turnover Recipe

• 2 TBSP lemon juice
• 4C water
• 2 TBSP butter
• 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled cored, sliced
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 TBSP cornstarch
• 1 TBSP water
• 1 C confectioner's sugar
• 1 TBSP milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 (17.25 ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

1. Combine lemon and 4 cups water in a large bowl. Place sliced apples in water to keep them from browning.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain water from apples, and place them into the hot skillet. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes. Add brown sugar, and cinnamon, and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes. Stir together cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Pour into skillet, and mix well. Cook for another minute, or until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat to cool slightly.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Unfold puff pastry sheets, and repair any cracks by pressing them back together. Trim each sheet into a square. Then cut each larger square into 4 smaller squares. Spoon apples onto the center of each squares. Fold over from corner to corner into a triangle shape, and press edges together to seal. Place turnovers on a baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between them.
5. Bake for 25 minutes in preheated oven, until turnovers are puffed and lightly browned. Cool completely before glazing.
6. To make glaze, mix together confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Adjust thickness by adding more sugar or milk if necessary. Drizzle glaze over cooled turnovers.

IF you don't like Apple Turnovers, don't worry because according to the National Day Calendar website, today is also, ready (or not). National Graham Cracker Day.  (More about those treats another post.)