Apple Picking Part 1

We've been meaning to go apple picking the past three falls, but somehow always end up missing the season. Growing up in Virginia, my family would drive up to the mountains when the weather turned fall-ish and pick tons of apples. So, as soon as the weather breaks in North Carolina, I look up places to go apple picking and find that everything has already been picked! Luckily, I was early this year, so on a nice, hot Sunday, we drove about an hour away to pick the last few apples off the trees.

The only kind of apple that was left was Fuji, and there were only a few trees full of apples, but super-tall Patrick was able to reach the untouched apples at the top, and all I had to do was hold the basket! It took us all of 10 minutes to pick half a bushel, which was about all I could carry.

Then the fun began.... First, we needed to wash them. The farm where we picked them gave us instructions to fill our sink with water and add a little bit of bleach (about 2 tablespoons), and soak the apples for 5 minutes.

Bobbing anyone? Then, I transfered them to a rack and rinsed them off really well to get rid of the bleach.

Unfortunately, they were still dirty, so then it was time to shine each apple. This took for FOREVER, and used up at least 3 wash rags, but most of the ugly dirt spots came off of each apple easily.

Don't they look so pretty in that bowl?

The first thing to make with them was an apple pie. There was a recipe that I had my eyes on for a while, so I decided to try it. I need a few more tries to get the pie perfect, but I can tell you that the crust was delicious! It didn't use butter, but had shortening in it, making it really crisp and flaky.

The Fuji apples were a little tart for the pie, and not sweet enough for me, even though I added much more sugar than the recipe called for. Next time I'll probably use store bought granny smith apples.

I did get to finally use my pie plate that's been staring at me all summer - did you notice that it matches the bowl? I also have a mixing bowl in the same pattern - they are all from a fantasic pottery store called Irvin Pottery in Seward, Alaska.

Stay tuned for more apple recipes!