Appeltjies

Appeltjies is an Afrikaans term that literally means “little apples.” In South Africa and among Afrikaans-speaking communities, appeltjies refers to several apple-related uses, including fruit, dishes, and affectionate terms for people.

In culinary contexts, the word is commonly used for small apples kept for cooking or snacking. A traditional outdoor variant involves skewering small apples and roasting them over an open flame, a popular treat at braais and camping trips. Variants may involve brushing the apples with butter, rolling them in sugar, or dusting with cinnamon, then serving warm.

Apart from food, appeltjies is also used as a term of endearment, akin to “cute little one” or “little apple” for children or loved ones.

Etymology: The term derives from appel, apple, with the diminutive suffix -tjie, forming appeltjie (singular) and appeltjies (plural). The exact usage varies by region and context, and the term may appear in literature, recipes, and everyday speech.