Core each apple, leaving it whole.  Cut around the middle of each with a sharp knife just to pierce the skin.  Place in a baking dish just large enough to hold all 4 of them.

Combine the nuts, raisins, lemon juice, lemon rind and 2 Tbsp of the brown sugar.  Stuff the apples with the mixture.

Mix together the remaining brown sugar and the water, and drizzle over and around the apples. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.  Add more water if the liquid around them is starting to dry out.  Taste the liquid too – apple sweetness varies – you may want to stir in a little more brown sugar.  Bake for another 15 minutes or until the apples are cooked through.

Cream, ice cream or custard sauce are all amiable companions for this homey dessert.