Several years ago, while leaf-peeping in Vermont, we stopped at a roadside produce market. We had been driving the byways and country lanes of the state, which in October felt like we were dropped into a giant bowl of candy corn. With the rolling hills, picturesque valleys, and abundance of sugar maples in full color, it was a most remarkable journey. We had eaten at the New England Culinary Institute, fine inns with roaring fires and rustic ambiance, and even tried an old diner called Dot’s on a blustery evening with snow in the air. Our taste buds had been working overtime and after a full day on the road from Grafton to Brattleboro with wooden bridges everywhere and in between, we needed some lighter fare for our dinner.
A roadside produce stand caught our attention. The outside was adorned in corn stalks and pumpkins that are typical of fall, but these pumpkins were dressed up and steering old cars, pulling old farm equipment, and leaning against the long porch, beckoning us in the most creative of ways. It was an outstanding display that we spent some time appreciating before going inside. Tom wanted some coffee and I needed some tea. We decided to load up on some Vermont cheddar cheese and crackers and it was suggested we try a new apple called Honeycrisp. I bought a beautiful locally crafted basket, which I still have, we piled our rustic dinner in it and we headed to a picnic table and dined, al fresco, on a humble meal we talk of still.
Sometimes it is the simple pleasures that nourish us.
The cheese was exceptional. At the time, the midwest wasn’t as familiar with Vermont cheeses as it is now. The apples, developed at the University of Minnesota and released in the early nineties, had not yet become as widely grown and distributed.
It was love at first bite.
Cross pollination of a Macoun and Honeygold brought about the Honeycrisp. It is sweet with just the right tartness and holds firm and flavorful for a long while. We now can find them here in the midwest in September. The Honeycrisp apple for us is as much of a symbol of Autumn’s beginning as the leaves that color our neck of the woods.
There are a few Honeycrisp apples sitting now in the refrigerator. I think I will pack one in a sack with some cheese, crackers, and grapes for my lunch as my gardening friends head out for an adventure to the Shakespearean Garden at Northwestern University. Yep. That’s what I’m going to do. I wish you were here so I could share a Honeycrisp with you. See if they are in your area and pick up a few. I know there will be more when we head to the Twin Cities to see our family up there soon. After all, they were developed up in Minnesota and I read that there is an effort to grow them in New Zealand. Now wouldn’t that be grand?
Simple pleasures indeed; how satisfying they are. I can taste autumn as I bite into that apple in my imagination. I saw a TV programme on how they are going to be grown in NZ, in the south island where the weather is cooler. I can’t wait to taste one! ‘Love at first bite’ – I can imagine it all from your description.
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I love the idea of tasting autumn, Juliet. I hope that my blogging pals from NZ will let me know in a few years when these apples arrive at your produce departments and stands. Thank you.
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Another wonderful post and the Honeycrisp apple sounds so good; I see in Juliet’s comments above that they are being grown down south so I will certainly be trying them when they come on to the market, I shall remember your post. When Jeff and I travel we usually do as you did, we buy a few tasty and fresh bits and pieces and stop somewhere beautiful to eat and enjoy as we aren’t ones for grand dining. We have eaten some magnificent meals of local produce in some breathtakingly beautiful spots.
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Thank you, Marilyn. It is one of my favorites, especially come autumn and how Tom and I came to eat them. I imagine you dining at some of nature’s greatest tables as you and Jeff travel about, tasting what is grown locally and delighting in the moments at hand. Let me know in a few years when the Honeycrisp become available in NZ.
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I never heard of a Honeycrisp until you told me about them, and now I look for them, the season seems to be getting longer and I picked some up at the Farmers Market last week.Bill is the one who eats one every day. I’m so glad you are such a sharing person…..Thanks.
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Thank you, Sharon, who is one of the “sharingest” people I know. You are right about the season seeming longer. I think more folks are demanding them and more orchards are growing them. I just shared had one during my lunch today and just love them.
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I will certainly look for Honeycrisp apples. They sound wonderful. I am reading The Storygirl by L.M. Montgomery (of course). In the story the children spend much of their time in the family orchard. Each person in the family for generations has had a tree planted when they are born. The trees are forever known by that person’s name. They eat Uncle Alec’s apples and Aunt Felicity’s pears etc. Each child can sell, keep, or give away the fruit from his or her own tree. I love the idea of naming the trees after the children like you have Kezzie’s tree. Have a great day.
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They are very tasty, Janet.
The Storygirl sounds like a wonderful book to be reading especially since it is by one of your, and my favorite authors, though I am not familiar with this and will have to remedy that at some point. I was just going to post about Kezzie’s tree in a little while and here you are mentioning it and the naming of trees after children.
It was a great day and I will try to write about it. I’m in a flurry looking for my camera. I hope I haven’t lost it. Oh!
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Oh Penny, you have made me hungry and also desperate to get out into New England. I am planning a trip to upstate New York to see the leaves and experience the fresh crisp Autumn air within the next few weeks…I need countryside!
I am just catching up on all your posts after having no time to get to reading other blogs these past few weeks…it’s lovely to read about what you have been up to. Your blog always warms my heart!
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You are going to love upstate NY, Rachel, and you should have some fabulous fall colors then. I can’t wait to read about what you discover and see. If you can, go up just a bit further into Vermont or New Hampshire.
Thank you. Those are very sweet words and appreciated.
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Apples, cheese, and crackers is one of my favorite afternoon snacks. Sounds like you had a delightful afternoon with lasting memories. Thanks for sharing your lovely post about Vermont in the fall!
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There is nothing like it, Jacquelyn. We loved Vermont in the fall and hope to return someday. Are you Cabot Cheese? We can get it here in the midwest now and that is a very good thing.
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Yes, I am on the Cabot Cheese social media team. We’re glad you can find it locally! Definitely a good thing 🙂 Enjoy!
~Jacquelyn
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[…] certain. Her life will be filled with words and stories and literature,. Ever since I wrote about honeycrisp apples, Rain Makes Applesauce has been wandering around in my head. With its “silly talk” […]
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