Now that the cool weather matches the “fall” setting on our calendars, it was time for our annual family apple picking trip to Larriland Farms in Woodbine, MD.
Seriously. We–I mean the kids picked 27 pounds of apples! My husband and I might have contributed about 5 pounds to that. It’s a good thing we all love apples! If you do nothing else at Larriland, you must eat some of their steaming hot apple fritters. They’re made right in front of you with apples picked right from the farm. The apple fritters are slightly crispy on the outside and the inside is the just the right amount of breading and apples–all dusted with powdered sugar. Just make sure to hit the ATM because they only take cash at the apple fritter counter.
This time the farm had several apple varieties ready for picking: Ida Red, Magnolia Gold, Mutsu, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. We were in the mecca of apple picking. They have this handy display right in the fields (orchards?) to help you decide what to pick. We went for the Ida Reds to make an apple pie. After a bite or two, Magnolia Golds were the clear winner for our family: crisp, juicy and just sweet enough.
Once our bags became to heavy, we handed them off to my husband. He brought a backpack to lug all our picked apples while participated in some apple shenanigans. (I love that word: shenanigans).
My family is silly and I love it! I’m not exactly sure what Jaxson is doing back there.
My husband tried to take a bite out of Sophia’s apple. Except he looks like a mad football coach on the sidelines yelling at his players. After picking the apples, we headed to the Red Barn on the farm to hit the kids’ haymaze ($3 cash per kid for unlimited runs), fed some llamas and goats (a quarter for handful of feed), lots of photo opps with pumpkins, and of course the apple fritters.
Loading
Once we returned home, I put the kids to work on the apple pie. I won’t lie, I used store bought refrigerated pie crust. One of these days I’ll have patience to make my own pastry crust from scratch. The kids helped to slice and chop the apples. I wish you had smell-o-vision because the pie was tasty. And all gone, I might add.
I also made a huge batch of applesauce and apple taquitos. This weekend calls for an apple crisp or cobbler. Do you prefer a crumb or bread topping with yours? Maybe an apple bread. After so many apple recipes, I feel like Bubba Gump–of apples.
I told the kids if we ate the rest of the apples within the next couple of weeks, we could return for more apple picking at Larriland Farms. Our favorite apples will be ripe at the end of the month: Granny Smith and Braeburn!
Does your family visit a local farm for apples or pumpkins?
Years ago I had a wonderful apple cobbler at a restaurant. I begged them for the recipe as I knew I would be moving away from there in a few months and posed no issue for them for sharing. But they wouldn't. Thus began my two weeks of trying to duplicate the recipe. Never quite got it, but the kids (and their friends) loved that quest and often ask for it again when they come back home. Your post brought back the memories, thanks!
My recent post It Takes a Village: A Community of Mothers
Sometimes the fun is tasting all the attempts!