By Karen Bloom
It's apple picking time; so pile everyone in the car - even the dog - for a day in the apple orchards!
The quality of the fruit this season is outstanding, with an almost ideal growing season, according to grower reports. "Consumers should expect outstanding quality apples from our growers this fall," said New York Apple Association president Jim Allen. "Our cider will be outstanding this year as well. Because of our many flavorful varieties, growers are able to blend many different apples to produce the sweetest and tastiest cider. Drinking fresh apple cider is like pouring yourself an apple!"
Growers are urging consumers to "buy local" this fall. So why not buy local right from the source?
`Then, when you return home with your bounty, get everyone involved
in making some delicious apple treats.
Best Dutch Apple Pie
Ingredients:
1 9" pie crust
8 medium apples
4 tbsps lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 tbsps flour
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1. Preheat oven to 375¡ degrees.
2. Core, peel and slice the apples. Place the apples and lemon juice in a bowl and mix well.
3. Mix brown sugar, white sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in another bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender.
4. Add chopped walnuts to the sugar mixture.
5. Add half of the mix to the apples. Mix to coat.
6. Place apple mix into the crust.
7. Evenly sprinkle the rest of the streusel crumbs on top of the pie.
8. Put foil around the crust. Bake at 375¡ degrees for 40 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and bake an additional 20 minutes.
Serve the pie hot or cold.
McIntosh Country Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
4 cups (4 apples) sliced McIntosh apples
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup margarine, softened
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1. Heat oven to 375¡ F.
2. Arrange apples in a greased 8" square pan.
3. Mix remaining ingredients; sprinkle over apples.
4. Bake until topping is golden brown and
apples are tender, about 30 minutes.
Serve warm.
Where To Pick Apples
Most orchards which offer u-pick arest opening up their orchards, so it's best to call ahead before heading out.
* Wickham's Fruit Farm, Main Rd., Cutchogue. (631) 734-6441 or www.wickhamsfruitfarm.com. Open
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays.
* Lewin Farms, 812 Sound Ave.,
Wading River. (631) 929-4327 orwww.lewinfarms.com. Open every day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
**** Davis Peach Farm, Hulse Landing Rd., north of Rte. 25A, Wading River.
(631) 929-1115 or www.davispeach
farm.com. Open every day, 9 a.m.-
5 p.m. No dogs.
* Woodside Farms, Manor La.,
Jamesport, and Main Rd., Aquebogue.
(631) 722-5770 or www.woodsidefarmsli.com. Open daily, 10 a.m.-
5 p.m.
* Seven Ponds Orchard, 65 Seven Ponds Rd., Water Mill. (631) 726-8015.
Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
