It's Autumn 2004: Pick an Apple, Pick a Pumpkin

2004 update of article by Sandy Goodman

see 2004 list of nearby orchards below

photo courtesy of Applewood Orchards

(October 1, 2004 - completely updated from 2003) October is the month of shiny apples, sweet cider and orange pumpkins. The leaves are starting to turn orange, red and gold and the stores are filling with Halloween costumes and candy. This summer's weather may have been bad for beach-goers, but it was great for apple-growers. Trees are laden with high quality apples and pumpkin patches are ready for harvest at farms close enough for day trips.

So it’s a good time to round up the kids, hop in the car and head out for a leisurely day exploring nearby orchards and pumpkin patches.

Most orchards offer both healthy produce and old-time fun. They usually have a farm stand or a country store and a place to have a picnic lunch. Some provide weekend pony or hayrides, corn mazes, or a petting zoo for the kids. Special events may include harvesting festivals with entertainment – check ahead for the schedules.

Both apples and pumpkins are nutritious, high in fiber and vitamins, and low in fat and calories. The versatile apple is great for eating out of hand or folding into cakes, cookies or bread. There are so many easy things you can prepare with apples, from sauce to cider. And if you can’t eat all the apples you pick at the orchard, you can cook and freeze them so they’re ready to pop into a pie on a winter's day.

One caveat: be sure to use the right apple for the right purpose. The lovely Red Delicious found at many local orchards is absolutely atrocious when cooked. The homely Macoun is another eating apple prized for its winy taste, but it's best during a very short “peak season” and doesn’t store well. Many New York varieties don’t peak until after a fall frost, which has yet to occur in most orchard locales.

If you're cooking, the Macintosh is perfect for applesauce, since it “melts” easily when heated; the Mutsu, Rome, and Granny Smith keep their shape if you’re looking for a firm textured tart or pie. Since most orchards have only one or two varieties available for picking at any one time, you might want to check the websites or call ahead before you invest in four bushels of the wrong variety. The Soons Orchard suggests, “Since apples taste better when they are picked according to their schedule -- not ours -- we will offer each variety for picking only when it is ready. It's also possible that some listed varieties may sell out before their last forecasted weekend.” Calling ahead - or checking the modern farmers' online schedules - is definitely the way to go. To learn about the apples you’re likely to encounter at a farm near Larchmont, check out the New York Apple Country website.

Pumpkins are easier than apples – most of us don’t care about the variety and are only looking for that perfect Jack O' Lantern. However, don’t overlook the pumpkin’s practical virtues: it gets good marks for taste and nutrition. Pumpkins and winter squash both belong to the gourd family. They get their bright orange color from their beta-carotene, which is the plant form of vitamin A. They are also high in vitamin C, iron and folic acid. There are plenty of uses for pumpkin other than the proverbial pumpkin pie. It can be pureed, steamed baked and boiled. Seasonings that enhance its flavor are cumin, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger nutmeg and honey.

You can get the nutritious part of the pumpkin from a can, but picking the perfect pumpkin at the farm is much more satisfying. When children are very small, it is fun to snap pictures with a pumpkin three times their size. The whole family will enjoy looking for odd-shaped gourds to use as centerpieces for the dining room table. And of course, while you are at the pumpkin patch is the time to get that perfect Jack O’Lantern.

The best part of a trip to the orchard is cooking and eating what you pick! Try some of the recipes below or send us some of your own.

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE I

Ingredients:

4 medium cooking apples
l cup water
½ cup of brown sugar (if desired)
Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

Directions:

Wash the apples very well. Then peel, core and quarter the apples and simmer them until tender in about an inch of water over medium heat. You can puree your apples in a food processor or mash them well for chunkier applesauce.

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE II

Easy and maximizes the apples’ nutritional content, but requires a food mill.

Ingredients:

Directions:

Wash the apples well. Quarter them and toss them into the pot with a small amount of water. Bring the water to the boil, cover the pot and turn the heat to low until the apples are very tender. Use a food mill to further puree apples and remove skins and seeds.

PUMPKIN ICE-CREAM PIE

Ingredients:

1 quart of vanilla ice cream
1 cup strained, blended and pureed pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1 large graham cracker piecrust

Directions:

Take ice cream out of the freezer and let it become soupy. Put the ice cream in a bowl with the pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Stir, pour it into the crust and set it in a level place in the freezer to harden overnight.

PUMPKIN-RAISIN DROPS

Ingredients:

1 beaten egg
3/4 cup strained, blended and pureed pumpkin
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup flour
pinch of pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

In a medium mixing bowl stir together egg, pumpkin, sugar, oil and vanilla. In another bowl, stir flour, spices, baking soda and salt. Blend and stir dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture. Then add and stir in the raisins.

Spray a baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray. Drop the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls one inch apart onto the cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for around 12 minutes, or until done. Cool. This makes about 24 cookies.

LISTING OF NEARBY ORCHARDS

All that summer rain was good for the farmers -- large fruit, large crop. Now, if the rains stay away from the weekends, you'll be able to enjoy a day in the orchard.

IN NEARBY -- WESTCHESTER COUNTY 2003

OUTHOUSE ORCHARDS
Hardscrabble Road, Croton Falls, NY
914-277-3188

"All the apples are coming in - Mac, Cortland, Red and Golden Delicious, Mutsu - and we've got all types of pears until end of November - Bosc, Bartlett, Seckel and Delicious," said Deryck, who mans the store at Outhouse Orchards. "We definitely have the pumpkin patch," and that keeps going until after Halloween he reported.

In addition to apple and pumpkin picking, the Orchards have added a country western stage show -- the Cowboys entertain every thirty minutes on the weekends - and a sing-along-scarecrow on every hayride. Other weekend activities include craft vendors, petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin and face painting, fresh donuts and cider, and a barbeque pit with, among other offerings, turkey legs.

Take the Hutch to 684. Get off at Exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road). Turn Right at the exit. "Can't miss us, we're about one mile on the left."

(update: September 28, 2004)

WILKENS FARM
1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights, NY
914-245-5111
website: www.wilkensfarm.com

"We have so many apples this year - we can't believe it," said farm co-owner Trisha Wilkens Dineen. People can still pick Macintosh, Baldwin, Greening, and Cortlandts (in early October); later there will be Golden and Red Delicious, Ida Red and Winesap. You'll get a wagon ride to and from the orchards.

Pumpkin picking goes throughout October. "The pumpkins are large because of all the rain we've had," said Mrs. Dineen.

In addition to pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, there are cider, donuts, pies and muffins, a small gift shop, and a farm parket with honey, preserves, maple syrup and up to 15 variety of pre-picked apples.

(update: September 28, 2004)

IN ROCKLAND COUNTY

DR. DAVIES FARM
Rt. 304, Congers, NY
845-268-7020
website: www.drdaviesfarm.com

"The crop is beautiful this year!" said owner Jan Davies. Every weekend, pick-your-own apples include a different part of the crop. So call ahead on Saturday mornings to learn which varieties are available, Mrs. Davies recommended.

There are also hay rides, pumpkins, a farm market with the Davies' own cider, and a field for picnics. Apple picking continues until the first week of November.

(updated September 29, 2004)

THE ORCHARDS OF CONCKLIN
Route 45 & 2 South Mountain Road, Pomona, NY
845-354-0369
website:www.theorchardsofconcklin.com

"All the rain has made for large beautiful apples," said Christina, Concklin's bakery manager, who has been out apple picking with her own family. They've got Red and Golden Delicious, Empires and Romes available now, pumpkins may be picked starting on October 16. Pick-your-own is on weekends from 10-5 - if the weather cooperates. Already in full swing on the weekends are a a mini-corn maze, tractor ride and haunted house, and they're expecting a slide and a bounce.

The on-site bakery turns out apple cider donuts, pies, quiches and other home-made goodies, and the farm store sells what remains of the local produce (eggplant, squash and broccoli, for example) and a full line of additional veggies and Concklin cider.

(Updated: September 29, 2004)

DUTCHESS COUNTY

BARTON ORCHARDS
Route 7, Beekman, NY
845-227-2306
website:www.bartonorchards.com

Bartons is a day-long experience every Saturday and Sunday during the harvest season. This 120-acre farm has everything, including music by country bands, a 3-D Walk Through, and a daytime corn maze. In addition there are pony rides, playground petting zoo, Halloween crafts and homemade donuts and other eats.

Then there are the night time Harvest activities until October 31 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from dusk until eleven -- Field of Screams, Haunted Hayride, 2 Haunted Houses and Corntamination - not your average corn maze.

Check the website for information on weekend entertainment and events. There's also a schedule of what's being picked when: apples started in August and will go through October.

"Apples are very good," said Bruce Barton, the patriarch of the operation. "We've started pumpkin picking now, as well," he said in late September.

"Good weather on weekends is what we're looking for now," said Mr. Barton.

(Updated: September 28, 2004)

SECOR FARMS
63 Robinson Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY
845-452-6883

Harvest Festival is every weekend in October plus Columbus Day – 9 am - 5 pm with hayrides, the Amazing Pumpkin Maze, decorative pumpkin display, and snacks.

GREIG FARM
Pitcher Lane, Red Hook(off Route 9), NY
845-758-1234
website: www.greigfarm.com

They're picking fall apples, fall raspberries (red and yellow) and pumpkins at Greig Farm every day during the last week of September and into October. The website and taped phone message announces what the current pick is each day - so check ahead. This is a seven-day-a week farm, open 9 am to 6 pm, rain or shine.

In addition to pick-your-own, you'll find a nursery and garden shop, plus Alison Wines & Vineyards. You can feed the animals in the barn and the fish in the pond.

Fall Harvest Festivals are scheduled for the weekends of October 2/3 and 9/10 and will include a 3-acre corn maze, barbeque, gourd and face painting, live music and more.

(Updated September 28, 2004)

ULSTER COUNTY

SOONS ORCHARD
845-374-5471
website: www.soonsorchards.com/

Soons has a great website, with a lot of information and directions: Soons
Through October there's pick your own apples and pumpkins every weekend from 10 am to 4 pm, plus all day Columbus Day and the store is open every day 9 am to 6 pm. Laura Thornton, a Soons daughter runs the bakery which turns out all sorts of pies, cookies , turnovers, and "our very own apple cider donuts." On the weekends there's also Irish soda bread and scones.

Sandy Soons said, "PRetty much everything is good this year -- it's a good quality crop -- with all the rain everything is a good size -- abd there was no hail. There are some unusual varieties - Liberty and Lady Jean, in addition to cider pressed on the premises. You ride to the pumpkin patch on a hay wagon, and there's a haunted mini-maze for kids up to second grade.

(Update: September 28, 2004)

ORANGE COUNTY

APPLEWOOD ORCHARDS
82 Four Corners Rd, Warwick, NY
845-986-1684
website: Applewood Orchards

Applewood is open 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week until October 24. The website offers updates on which apples are being picked and what sort of entertainment there'll be on the weekend: music, wagon rides, puppet shows?

In addition to pick your own apples and pumpkins, there is also a farm store, plus gardens, petting zoo, and places for picnics. There's also Applewood Winery, which offers tours and tastings of "Stone Wall cider" and many varieties of Hudson Valley wines.

"For the pumpkin crowd, remember that pumpkin rides start the first weekend of October," reports the website. October 15 and 16 will be the ‘starlight pumpkin picking’ - check the website for updates and details.

(Updated: September 28, 2004)

IN NEARBY CONNECTICUT

SILVERMAN'S FARM
451 Sport Hill Road, Easton, CT
203-261-3306
website: www.silvermansfarm.com

Silverman’s has an animal farm open year-round where children can feed the baby animals. There is also a wonderful farm market that offers home made pies, cookies, jams and fresh fruits and vegetables. "The 17 varieties of fresh-baked pies are a big thing here," said Irv Silverman.

You can pick apples every day, from 9 am to 5 pm, until about the second week in October this year. Pumpkins go until the end of the month and the fall foliage tractor rides are also through October. Check the website for updates on events and variety of apple being picked.

"We've got millions of pumpkins this year, said Mr. SIlverman. "And apple picking is suberb due to a lot of rain -- the fruit is large, gorgeious." he said.

(Updated September 28, 2004)

Mamaroneck resident Sandy Goodman is a Registered Dietitian and a free lance writer specializing in nutrition, parenting and health

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