Crunch Time pop-up kitchen event features SnapDragon

Chef Vincent Gilliard recently returned to a favorite item to base a recipe on, the SnapDragon apple.

Gilliard, a finalist among 2,400 competing in the San Pellegrino 2018-19 Young Chefs Competition, was asked by Crunch Time Apple Growers to feature the SnapDragon at a Union Square Kitchen pup-up event Jan. 15 in New York City.

Gilliard, whose dishes in the San Pellegrino competition included a SnapDragron apple and root vegetable terrine, made a SnapDragon Apple Crostino recipe at the pop-up event, according to a news release from Crunch Time Apple Growers, Lockport, N.Y. A video shows how to prepare the recipe.

“This is the kind of event that shows everyday cooks what’s possible with just a little inspiration,” Rena Montedoro, vice president of sales and marketing for Crunch Time Apple Growers, said in the release. “We’re absolutely thrilled our apples made it into the San Pellegrino contest and that Chef Gilliard used locally sourced produce from New York State.”

The Jan. 15 event also included a demo, where guests learned how to prepare an “antioxidant” salad with ginger dressing featuring SnapDragon apples.

“This demo event was a great way to showcase Snap in recipes and provide a hands-on experience for our consumers,” Montedoro said in the release.

Gilliard is the chef de cuisine at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y.

Related stories:

Crunch Time premium apples show well in study

SnapDragon apple partners with children’s game for promotion

Crunch Time Apple Growers: SnapDragon had a monster 2018 season