When I was a kid, apples came in two varieties: red and yellow delicious. But now there are many more choices, and my favorites are pink ladies and honeycrisps.The honeycrisp is a hybrid of the macoun and the honey gold. It is super sweet, juicy and crisp.I also like the pink lady that originates in Australia. A cross between the golden delicious and the Lady Williams apple, its flesh is both sweet and tart. I love its crisp texture and pink hue.With such tasty apples available, try chopping and adding them to salads, especially those made with nuts or blue cheese. They are great in smoothies and shakes, but lately my choice is to turn them into chunky applesauce.When I make applesauce, I leave the skin on the fruit. Then I use the sauce as a dessert, a potato pancake topping or a warm topping for ice cream.For Power Applesauce, I combine apples with pomegranate and cranberries — serious, functional foods. The reddish color of this sauce is beautiful, and it gets a touch of tartness from the pomegranate. I also add some gingerroot for bold flavor.You can find pomegranate molasses in Middle Eastern and Arab groceries as well as many gourmet stores. I’ve even seen it in discount department stores. If you can’t find it, don’t fret. Use regular molasses.

POWER APPLESAUCE—Yield: 8 servings

7 skin-on apples (honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, gala), cored and cut into 1-inch chunks1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries2 cinnamon sticks1 (1-inch) piece fresh gingerroot1 cup pomegranate or cranberry juice1/2 cup light brown sugar1/4 cup pomegranate molasses

Procedure:1. Place all ingredients in large, nonreactive, heavy-bottom saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, then cover and cook 30-35 minutes, until a sauce is formed. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t burn on the bottom. Remove cinnamon stick and gingerroot chunk.2. Mash fruit with potato masher or, if you prefer smoother sauce, place in food processor fitted with metal blade, or blender, and puree. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition data per serving: 171 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 45 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams total fiber, 39 grams total sugars, 40 grams net carbs, .2 gram protein, 9 milligrams sodium.

Meteorite Hunter” Robert Ward holds a ceiling tile at the Red Rock Lounge on Monday, showing damage he believes was caused by a meteorite. Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE