Apple season is arriving at East Bay farmers' markets

Apples are some of the first fall fruits to arrive for the season, with some varieties arriving as early as August. However, farmers say that the wet winter has delayed their harvests, so we can expect them to begin harvesting a bit later than last year. That doesn’t mean we can’t start getting excited, though, about the tempting aroma of baked apples or apple pie!

There are apples best for baking, apples that are best for applesauce and many that are best for eating by hand. So talk with your local farmer to find the perfect match for your cooking and eating needs.

Rainbow Orchards attends the Concord farmers’ market on Tuesdays. Their mountain-grown apple orchards sit at an elevation of 3,400 feet in the hills of Camino, between Sacramento and Reno, Nevada. They grow heirloom varieties like Braeburn, Pippin, Fuji, Honey Crisp, Arkansas Black and many standard hybrids. Usually available starting in early September are Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathon and Macintosh apples.

Smit Farms, also a Tuesday Concord farmers’ market attendee, has more than 36 varieties of apples throughout the season. Their orchards in Linden are filled with so many varieties that it’s hard to choose which ones to enjoy! Try their Crimson Crisp, Cameo, Jewel or Black Twig varieties. Most of their orchards are certified organic and practice sustainable farming.

The Fresno area is the place where Diaz Farms grows their Fuji and Gala apples. Since 1990, the owner and his family have farmed near the (San Joaquin) Central Valley city of Fowler and have expanded their selection of orchards to include other seasonal fruits. Diaz Farms attends Concord’s Tuesday and Thursday farmers’ markets.

Another Central Valley farmer, J&J Ramos Farms, grows Fuji, Gala, Crimson Gala, Pippin, Franny Smith, Honey Crisp and Pink Lady varieties of apples. With 350 acres of orchards in Hughson, they grow more than just apples, but be sure to enjoy their apples right now!

Please note that Concord’s Thursday evening market will close for the season on Sept. 28. The city’s Tuesday market is open year-round.

Debra Morris is a promotions coordinator for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association. Contact her at [email protected].

ingredients

6 pounds of apples such as Pink Lady or Braeburn2 cups of white sugar1 cup of brown sugar1 tablespoon of cinnamon¼ teaspoon of ground cloves4 tablespoons of maple syrup¼ teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

instructions

Core and peel the apples, fill a large slow cooker with them and pour in the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for one hour, stirring occasionally. Then cook on low for about nine to 10 hours or overnight until the apples are soft.

Remove the lid, stir, then cook on high for another hour to allow for thickening to your desired consistency. Blend the mixture until smooth with an immersion blender. While the mixture is still hot, fill sterilized jars, then put the jars’ lids and rings on them. Refrigerate the jars for up to two weeks or can them in a water bath canner to keep them longer. Process for 20 minutes.

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