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APPLES
U-PICKS (and also grapes and raspberries)
Ithaca is apple heaven. We do have the greatest apples here. My favorite apple source is BLACK DIAMOND FARM. They sell their apples at the Ithaca Farmers market. And have a great web site showcasing each variety. Every year I look forward to September and October when this farm sells their rare and heirloom varieties. The tiny treasures called Chestnut Crab are a perfect blend of crisp, flavorful and sweet. They also have other favorites with names you’ve never heard of like Engremont Russet. They have samples at the Farmers Market and if you haven’t yet visited their booth I would recommend you go and check them out. Nowhere else on earth can some of these varieties be found (at least nowhere that I know of) and these are apples that have a short shelf life so they can’t easily be transported and sold elsewhere. You need to get these babies locally!!!
APPLES is one of the truly great wonders of Ithaca. We have Indian Creek and Little Tree Orchards where small trees are perfect for harvesting. It’s a great family activity. You can also harvest the “drops” and use them to make cider. The cider in Ithaca is also terrific. Cornell Orchards has the best in my opinion.
New York State is the second largest producer of Apples in the United States: Washington State being number one. Cornell University has been a leading research institution in the development of new apple varieties. The Cortland apple was named at Cornell in 1915, The Macoun was named in 1923. The Empire apple, a cross between Red Delicious and McIntosh was developed in 1966. Libertywas developed in 1978 and Jonagold, a hybrid between Jonathans and Golden Delicious was named at Cornell in 1968.
U-PICKS Available NOW
345 Shaffer Rd.
Newfield, NY 14867
607-564-9246
Apples, pears, raspberries
1408 Trumansburg Rd. (Rt. 96)
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-9544
Apples, tomatoes
Silver Queen Farm
5386 Stillwell Rd.
Trumansburg, NY14886
607-387-6502
Raspberries
1104 Auburn Rd.
Groton, NY 13073
607-533-9110
20 varieties of apples
1347 Goose St.
Locke, NY
315-497-1347
Apples (many varieties)
Davis Farms
5260 Peach Orchard Point
Hector, NY 14841
607-546-6022
Apples, grapes
(U-pick is on State Rt. 414 near the intersection of Peach Orchard Pt.)
Glendale Farm
4590 State Route 414
Burdett, NY 14818
607-546-8479
Organic Concord and Catawba grapes
Hoffmire Farms
6515 State Route 227
Trumansburg, NY 14886
607-387-8400
NO APPLES THIS YEAR DUE TO LATE FROST!!!
Reisinger’s Apple Country
2750 Apple La.
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
607-535-7493
Apples, raspberries
Twin Oaks Farms
5557 State Route 414
Hector, NY 14841
607-546-5511
Apples, Concord grapes (last weekend 10/3-4),
Wagner Farms
1678 County Road 137
Valois, NY 14841
607-582-6464
Concord and Niagra grapes,
2673 Sand Hill Rd.
Penn Yan, NY 14527
315-536-2744
Apples,grapes
5876 State Route 14
Dundee, NY 14837
607-243-7883
Apples, grapes (table and juice)
The following recipe was passed out a few years ago by Jackie Sherwin of Black Diamond Farm. I adapted the original recipe which was from the cookbook: An Apple Harvest-Recipes and Orchard Lore, by Frank Browning and Sharon Silva
APPLE GARLIC CHUTNEY
4-5 tart apples, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
1 cup dried apricots chopped
1 cup golden raisins
6-7 garlic cloves, peeled and mashed
2 tsp. grated and peeled fresh ginger
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups cider or red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper
In a non-reactive pot (not aluminum or iron) combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer, stirring often. Add more vinegar if necessary to prevent burning. Cook for about 30 minutes until the apples are softened and the mixture is thickened. Taste and add more salt, sugar or vinegar if necessary.
Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Spoon into sterile jars and cover tightly. Refrigerate for several days and up to two weeks to allow flavors to mellow. This chutney can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 months.
VERY EASY HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE
We have several trees of tasty apples that don’t look that great since they haven’t been sprayed. They are perfect for making applesauce and this is one of the easiest ways to turn lots of apples into a delicious dessert.
Core your apples (I use about 4 pounds in a 12 cup slow cooker) and cut them into large chunks. Quartering them works for smallish apples. Add add 1/2 cup water or apple cider and some honey and cinnamon. Thats all. Just turn it on to high and wait about 3 hours. Check and see if the apples are soft and cooked down. If not, keep cooking them and check again. Taste for flavor and add more sugar or cinnamon as needed. Then let cool and put the apples through a food mill.