Thursday, September 23, 2010

Fall Flavor: Virginia Apple Picking

Apple PieThe Green Miles will weigh almost as much as Haley Barbour by the time the week is out, thanks to this pie.

Golden delicious & empire apples just picked the day before & a recipe from The Official Vermont Maple Cookbook substituting maple syrup for sugar. (Not pictured: Apple cider donuts & a pumpkin roll I got at the orchard bakery.)

But the fantastic local food is just one reason I set aside a Sunday to go apple picking every fall. After the DC area's hottest summer on record, it's a great excuse to spend some time outdoors in non-sweltering weather. And not to get too Ferris Bueller, but if you don't take some time to enjoy the highlights of the season, suddenly the year's over & you're wondering where the time went.

I usually head out to Winchester's Marker Miller Orchards, which features lots of different kinds of apples & pumpkins, a bakery & store, and a tractor ride. Just a couple of minutes down the road, there's also The Pumpkin Patch with a petting zoo & pumpkin pie fudge. Find a full list at VirginiaApples.org.

No comments: