To celebrate the kickoff of the fourth annual Apples to iPods event here in Vermont (and the fourth that we’ve been a part of), I have apples on the brain. Not Macs right now (unless you’re taking about the tart McIntosh variety), but sweet, juicy apples.
We’re headed into prime picking season, and all of us here at Small Dog look forward to some fresh local flavor! So, without further ado, here are my top ten apple varieties that we’ll see in the Vermont orchards this year:
# *McIntosh*
Described as the “quintessential New England apple,” the McIntosh proves to be excellent for most things, either on its own or baked into dessert deliciousness.
# *Tolman Sweet*
Originally found in Massachusetts in the late 1700s, the Tolman Sweet is touted for (of all things) its sweetness. It’s a favorite for cooking and most notably used in applesauce, since the natural sweetness lends itself so well to unsweetened varieties.
# *Fameuse/Snow*
These fine-textured apples have their origins largely in the Lake Champlain regions. Right now is prime ripening time, as these soft, juicy and very sweet apples are best in late September to early October.
# *Jonamac*
These are a blend of a reddish-pink over greenish base color. Best in early to mid-September, these are excellent dessert apples.
# *Spartan*
These are a tad firmer than a McIntosh, with a crisp, fine-textured, juicy and flavorful taste. Spartans are perfect to store as they keep well.
# *Northern Spy*
No, these were not named after “Ed’s pup.”:http://www.smalldog.com/contact#thepups Originally found in upstate New York, Northern Spys have a dark purplish-red color over a greenish-yellow base, with “broad, short, broken, bright red stripes.” They’re firm with a sweet flavor.
# *Liberty*
These are described as a “quality dessert apple” with a crisp, juicy flavor. They’re ripening now in late September.
# *Melba*
Another great dessert apple with a firm, crisp, fine-textured flesh and a “refreshing, vinous flavor.”
# *Honeycrisp*
These are a favorite around here as well, with a very firm texture and sweet crunch. Ed maintains that these make fantastic caramel apples!
# *Golden Delicious*
These, for me, are a nostalgic apple. Some say (cough… my husband …cough) that they’re “too soft,” but I say they’re perfectly sweet and fantastically good with some extra sharp Vermont cheddar!
If you’re anywhere near Vermont over the next couple of months, be sure to check out the Apples to iPods event, which kicked off yesterday at “Shelburne Orchards!”:http://www.shelburneorchards.com/nicks_corner/shelburne-orchards/ If you find a wooden apple in one of the 24 participating Vermont orchards, you could win an iPod or even an iPad!
“See all of the details here.”:http://www.vermontvacation.com/applestoipods.aspx
See below for Grace’s famous apple pie recipe!
