Chaussons aux pommes
(Apple slippers)
Chaussons aux pommes are traditional French turnovers filled with a delectable apple compote filling. The turnovers are made with a combination of peeled and cored apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, puff pastry, and beaten eggs. The apples are chopped, combined with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and water, then mixed.
The filling is placed in the center of the puff pastry circle, which is then folded into a semicircle and brushed with egg wash so that it sticks. The top is also brushed with eggwash, and the pastry is baked until it puffs up and becomes golden brown.
According to legend, the original version of these turnovers was created in 1630 in Saint Calais. At the time, the town was suffering an epidemic, so the Chatelaine (lady of the town) gave flour and apples to those in need, and they made chaussons aux pommes.
Today, there is an annual celebration of the event, called Fete du chaussons aux pommes. Interestingly, the name of the dish can be translated as apple slippers, referring to the visual appearance of this tasty filled pastry.
