The leaves have started to turn and the temperatures have finally started to fall (feel free to take a moment for a happy dance), and that means it’s apple season.
Chester and Delaware counties are great sources for fresh and delicious apples. But the picking season is only until the end of October, so grab your family and friends for a fun outdoor activity!
Ever wonder why an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Apples are a tasty, low-calorie snack with no fat, cholesterol or sodium. Apples provide fiber and pectin (which helps get rid of toxins in the body and helps digestion), leave your teeth clean and breath fresh, have lots of fiber to promote a healthy heart, and potassium to maintain healthy blood pressure. Many of the antioxidants and two-thirds of the fiber can be found in the skin, so just say no to the peeler.
Pick me! Pick me!
Highland Orchards (1000 Marshallton Thorndale Rd., West Chester) offers 45 acres of apples to be picked every day from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Every weekend until Nov 1, they offer hayrides, children’s activities, scarecrow building, and shuttles to prime picking spots. For the next week, the core apples to be picked are Mutsu, Stayman, Jonagold, Empire and Ida Red.
Winesap, Rome, Granny Smith and Fuji apples will be available starting Oct. 9. A half-peck (approximately seven pounds) is $10, and a half-bushel (about 21 pounds) is $22 when you pick your own. Come during the week to have 10 percent sliced off your total bill.
Dave Hodge, whose family has owned the orchards since 1941, recommends coming as a group, registering and paying together to get the volume discount. Their market is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Call 610-269-3494 or visit www.highlandorchards.net.
Picking apples at Linvilla Orchards (137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media) is an adventure that starts with a hayride to their 15 acres of trees. Picking hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the apples waiting to be plucked include Ida Red, Winesap, Stayman, Fuji, Granny Smith, Northern Spy, Rome and Pink Lady. These delicious treats are $1.39 per pound, and $24.95 for a half-bushel.
After a stroll in the orchard, head over to their farm market to enjoy apple cider, candy apples, baked goods, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, apple cider doughnuts, candy and much more. Weekend nights throughout October from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Sundays) can be spent on a hayride under the stars, followed by roasting marshmallows and sipping apple cider ($7). Visit www.linvilla.com or call 610-876-7116.
Other places for apples
Pete’s Produce Farm – 1225 E. Street Rd., West Chester
West Chester Growers Market – Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until November; West Chestnut and North Church streets, West Chester
Kimberton Whole Foods – 150 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Downingtown
Wynnorr Farm – 1631 E. Street Rd., Glen Mills
Pearls Farm Market Store –160 Park Rd., Downingtown
Vollmecke Orchards & CSA -155 Cedar Knoll Rd, Coatesville
Indian Orchards (pick your own) – 24 Copes Ln., Media
Be sure to visit www.buylocalpa.org/chester to find fresh produce near you.
Linvilla Orchards Cinnamon Apple Chips
2 cups unsweetened apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
2 Red Delicious apples
In large skillet or pot, combine apple juice and cinnamon stick; bring to a low boil while preparing apples. With sharp knife, slice off 1/2 inch from top and bottom of apples and discard. No need to core the apples since boiling in juice for several minutes softens the core and removes the seeds. Stand apples on either cut end and saw gently crosswise into very thin (1/8-inch) rings, rotating the apples as necessary to get even slices. Drop apple slices into boiling juice; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until slices appear translucent and lightly golden. Meanwhile, heat oven to 250 degrees. With slotted spatula, remove apple slices from juice and pat dry. Arrange slices on cake-cooling racks, being sure none overlap. Place racks on middle shelf in oven; bake 30 to 40 minutes until apple slices are lightly browned and almost dry to touch. Let chips cool on racks completely before storing in airtight container.
Highland Orchards Apple Balls
Puff pastry
4 apples
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons raisins
1 egg, beaten
Cut four squares of pull pastry large enough to wrap apples. Peel and core apples. Stand each upright on a pastry square. Fill the hollowed spaces with a mixture of sugar, cinnamon and raisins. Fold the pastry around the apples, wetting with water to make it stick. Place upside-down on a wet baking plate or pan. Brush with beaten egg and let stand to stiffen in a cool place. Bake in preheated 450 degrees oven for 25 minutes.
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