Story and Photos by Michele J. Kuhn
COLTS NECK – Applesauce, apple pie, apple cider, apple crumb cake, apple brown betty, baked apples or pork and apples, fall is the perfect time to indulge in this versatile fruit.
Two River-area residents are lucky to be able to pluck fresh apples of a wide variety right off trees, practically in the neighborhood.
Kate Givens, a Middletown resident, has been coming to Eastmont Orchards here for years, picking lush juicy peaches during the late summer and then switching to different types of apples as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter.
She has already gone to the orchard on County Road 537 three times this season to pick apples.
During a recent sunny afternoon Givens was grabbing some apples to eat, rather then cook or bake with them, and also was planning to share some as a thank you to friends who previously shared some fruit with her.
“You can’t beat the taste,” she said. “You pick them when they are ripe and they are wonderful … I’ll put them in the refrigerator and have them for breakfast. I eat slices each morning.
“This is like the land I grew up on in Illinois,” Givens said. ”My grandmother had apple trees. She’d make the best apple pies for socials and they were always the first to go.”
Cathy Chitty was also enjoying the day walking among the straight lines of trees at Eastmont Orchards. The Staten Island resident was gathering a selection of apples for the first time. She had been invited to go with friends and was picking some McIntosh, Jonathan, Cameo and Golden Delicious to use for baking.
“There’s nothing like an apple pie,” she said. “It’s so American.”
Craig Fairfax of Farmingdale agrees.
He was picking some apples for eating.
“It’s a beautiful day and I like to eat them,” he said. “They also keep the doctor away, right?”
Battleview Orchards in Freehold also has a pick your own operation on its 120 acres. Apple picking will be available through the end of the month, according to owner Lisa Applegate.
Linda King, co-manager (along with Norma Kilbride) of retail at Eastmont Orchard, said the farm, which also sells tons of pumpkins this time of year, sees all types of people come for its apples. There are lots of families, couples, school groups, grandparents with grandchildren and men and women looking for the freshest ingredients for the favorite apple recipes.
“People like getting out into the fresh air and picking fruit right off the tree. We have 100 acres of open space and that appeals to people, particularly those from the city,” King said.
Apple-picking season begins in mid- to late-August and the variety of apples available changes as the season progresses.
When the season begins, the McIntosh and Honeycrisp varieties are at their height. Mid-September to mid-October at Eastmont means that Crispin, Jonathan, Idared, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and Empire are available along with the McCoun, Spartan, Cameo and Cortland variety. Next, from mid-October through closing, are the Red Rome, Stayman Winesap, Yellow Newtown Pippen, Arkansas Black, Braeburn, Fuji and Granny Smith.
The season extends until “at least” the end of October and often a little longer, King said.
“When the season ends and you have to buy apples from the store, it’s just not the same,” she said. Those apples have been stored and lack that right-off-the-tree flavor.
King said she likes to make applesauce and apple pies, particularly with the Jonathan variety.
She also recommends Stayman Winesap, which are now ripe for the picking. “They are a tart and they are great for pies,” she said.
The flier that visitors to Eastmont Orchards get as they arrive advise them that when picking apples, “Fruit of the same variety on the trees often vary in ripeness and firmness. Generally, outside fruit ripen first, inside later. Green ski and flesh color turning yellow indicate sweetness and less acid. Largest fruit ripen before smaller.”
Monmouth County orchards where visitors can pick their own fruit are:
Eastmont Orchards, County Road 537 east, Colts Neck
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, weather and supply permitting. Visitors are asked to call ahead to check supply and weather conditions. 732-542-5404. www.eastmontorchards.com.
Battleview Orchards, 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold
The orchard is open for apple picking from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, weather permitting. Visitors are asked to call ahead to check supply and weather conditions. 732-462-0756. www.battlevieworchards.com.
Recipes are available by visiting the state Department of Agriculture’s website at jerseyfresh.nj.gov/recipes/#2 for:
- Apple bread
- Apple crisp
- Apple-grape salad
- Apple squares
- Apple torte
- Apple walnut caramel pie
