Apple Nut Loaf

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup grated apples

1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1 1/2 Tbls. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:  3 Tbls. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon

Cream sugar and shortening.  Add eggs and apples.  Combine sifted flour, soda, salt,  orange rind and nuts in a separate bowl.  Add to apple mixture.  Stir in buttermilk and vanilla.
Pour into a greased and lightly floured loaf pan and sprinkle with the cinnamon/sugar topping.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for one hour, or until it tests done.

I found two versions of this recipe, both being quite similar.  One called for only 1/2 cup of nuts and the other had no orange rind.  I combined the recipes and used the orange rind and a full cup of nuts (I used walnuts).  Mom wrote a note on one of the recipes to "top with cherries, nuts and citron for a Christmas loaf" as an option.