A quick check of the orchard showed quite a bit of Granny Smith, Gold Rush and Pink Lady left. A decent amount of Braeburn and just a small amount of Fuji all the way at the far end of the row.
We are expecting to close the orchard for the year in the next week or two so it looks like your last chance for apples.
Don't forget that if you store apples in the fridge or a cool place, especially these later varieties, they will stay good for several months (if not longer).
For the Braeburn, your best bet for finding them is to go to the southwest corner of the orchard by the road.
(While you are in the Braeburn section, you will see some Red Delicious over there too. The Red Delicious are a dark red apple with a pointy bottom. Now I would honestly say that in my opinion, these are the nastiest apples to buy at the grocery store and I avoid them. But just now trying one of the Red Delicious out in the orchard, WOW! They are not even the same. They are crunchy and sweet and not mushy at all. If you are over picking Braeburn, grab a few to put in your bucket and try them!!
For Fuji and Pink Lady, just walk about halfway down the row and you will find plenty.
We are still planning on having apples through Thanksgiving. After that, it will be week by week to see what is left. Just keep checking the blog, or call if you are wondering if we are still open.
Actual Thanksgiving Day will be low key around here. It will be self service if you are wanting to pick for some reason.
A few rows are getting muddy and some are just fine, so bring cruddy shoes or boots if you are worried.
A decent amount of Braeburn left. There is quite a bit in the far southeast corner of the orchard out by the road. In the main young row of Braeburn, there are a little left at the south end, but you will find more in the corner area that I just talked about.
1. Use a variety of apple that works well in your "peeler". Oversized apples are a pain to peel by hand and by picking varieties that fit your peeler you will cut down on the work by a HUGE amount.
2. Use as ascorbic acid (500 mg vitamin C pills with no additives) as a good replacement for fruit fresh or pineapple juice to prevent browning. I use 6-8 tablets dissolved in a container of cold water and throw the whole sliced and peeled apples in and then cut them in rings when I pull them out to put on the tray.
3. I dry my apples to the brittle or near brittle stage because I happen to like them that way and there is little chance of them having hidden slices that are damp enough to cause problems. I store them in the food saver vacuum sealed bags and then toss in freezer-just to be safe.
4. I use dried apples in muffins and take the frozen apples directly from freezer and beat'em with a rolling pin to shatter into small shards. Throw the shards in cool water to cover and plump up, then add to muffins. Wonderful added to bran muffins along with raisins, pecans to make a hearty and nutritious muffin!
5. My dog loves dried apples as a training "treat"
