In my novel Nearly Canaan, Joshua and Jaya find themselves surrounded by orchards. They quickly appreciate apples as much more than an orb to eat daily.

Here are ten unexpected uses.

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1. Headache relief. Cut a green apple open and start sniffing. It’s supposed to work faster than some pain pills.
2. Christmas decorations. Slice an apple, then carve out the core. The rounds can be hung individually or as a garland on the tree or window. They’re fragrant, too, as they dry.
3. Shrucken heads for Halloween. Bake them on low for three hours or so, then carve out a mouth and nose, maybe the eyes too. Add buttons or other small objects for the eyeballs. Quite spooky and yet funny.
4. Kiddie craft stamper. Cut one open, then carve out a design for imprinting with ink on paper or fabric.
5. Candleholder. Carve the core from an apple, then insert a votive or tea candle. It makes for a romantic glow.
6. Hair rinse. Dilute cider in water, then rinse after shampoo and conditioner rounds. Removes excess oil.
7. Salt reduction. Ever put too much salt in something you’re cooking? A few wedges of apple or potato added to the pot can turn the trick. Remove them after ten minutes. Don’t see this helping on the table, though. Any suggestions there?
8. Green tomato ripener. Place an already ripe apple in a paper bag for a couple of days. We’ll have to remember this in the fall, when we harvest everything we can before the first big frost.
9. Potpourri. Stud an apple with cloves stems and let it dry in a clothes drawer. I remember that from childhood.
10. As a bow-and-arrow target. Especially if you’re William Tell.

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Gee, aren’t we feeling like Martha Do-it!

What else do you suggest?