Fried apple pie...just like McDonalds used to make

I got a couple of e-mails today telling me I should show my patriotism and “celebrate” 9/11 today by wearing red, white and blue. Firstly, I don’t really look good in any of those colors and secondly, I don’t think I should be “celebrating” the loss of innocent lives.
Instead, as I often do, I decided to spend some time in quiet reflection in the kitchen.
Because the phrase “as American as apple pie” was running through my head, I thought it might be appropriate to make a small pile of mini pies that I could share with others while we reflected on the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the 2985 people who died that day.
While apple pies are not really all-American, as they were first made in Europe centuries ago, they have come to represent all that is good about our country. In reality, Americans didn’t really use apples for much besides cider until the 20th Century, except in some Germanic communities.
Still, I chopped apples into fine cubes and made small, bite sized fried pies, certainly a more American version of the dessert…more like McDonald’s than Mom.

Mini Fried Apple Pies

1 medium apple, peeled, cored and chopped extra fine
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Tiniest pinch of cayenne pepper
20 Wonton wrappers
Oil for frying
½ tablespoon each of cinnamon and sugar

• Start to melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Before it’s melted all the way, add the brown sugar, apples, cinnamon and cayenne. Stir until the butter begins to bubble.


• Turn it down to low and let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens a little.
  Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium high heat. It’s ready when a drop of water dances across the surface when it’s dropped in.


• Take a teaspoon full of the apple mixture, plop it into the middle of a wonton wrapper and fold it up, envelope style.


• Three or four at a time, drop the envelopes into the heated oil (remember, if you do too many at one time, it will lower the temperature of the oil and your food will not fry evenly).


• When they are crispy and golden brown on the outside, take the pies out and drain them.


• After they are all fried and drained, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and toss the pies in the mixture.