Hands down Summer is my favorite season - no disputing. But I find as I get older Fall is slowing growing on me. Fall use to be the most dreaded season to me because it meant cold weather and snow was right around the corner (not my two most favorite things!) I am realizing now that Fall in New England (especially Maine) has so much fun recreational activities to offer. One of my favorite is apple picking.
For the past three years my husband and I have have ventured to different family owned and run farms in Maine with only one stipulation - they have cider donuts! I found a farm in Springvale, Maine - a little bit outside of Sanford, Maine. The farm is called McDougal Orchards. I have to say out of all the Orchards I have been to this one is probably my favorite. The farm has a marvelous history - it started in 1779 on 450 acres of land (purchased for fifty-two pounds ten shillings!) They didn't start producing apples until 1930 when 1600 McIntosh tress were planted. The farm has run by many generations of families passing down the love of Maine farm life.
I would have to say their claim to fame might not be there apples (or at least in my opinion) it is totally the Cider Donuts at Captain Jack's Donut Shack. We couldn't even make it past the smells and had to get a dozen bite size donuts before we started picking!
Jay and I picked some fantastic (and also HUGE apples!) and roamed around the beautiful grounds at the Orchard.
Of course there has to be a recipe that goes with any food escape I go on. An apple crisp is the obvious choice after a day of apple picking, so that is what I made but I added a little twist!
Apple Blueberry Apple Crisp
What you will need:
Topping:
1/2 cup of all purpose flour
1/4 cup of granulated white sugar
1/4 cup of light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/3 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
Filling:
6 medium sized apples, peeled and cut into this pieces
1 cup fresh blueberries
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons granulated white sugar
1/2 cup fresh apple cider
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Butter a 9 inch baking dish and set aside
3. For topping, place all the topping ingredients (flour, sugars, spices, butter, oats) in a bowl. I just use my hands to mix all the ingredients together. You could also use a food processor and process until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
4. For the filling, place the apple slices in a large bowl, along with the blue berries and lemon zest. Toss with lemon juice, sugar, and apple cider. Transfer to your baking dish.
5. Spread the topping evenly over the apples.
6. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
7. Remove from oven and place on a wire riack to cool for about 30 minutes before serving.
8. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream! (Remember to referigerate the left overs and reheat before serving!)
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