By: Andrea Vorvick | October 06 2011
Posted in Portland - Find It - Portland

McIntosh apples are just 1of 10 different varieties available at Oregon Heritage Farms. Photo by: Andrea Vorvick

Apples are very much a part of our country’s culture. Everyone knows the old adage "An apple a day keeps the doctor away", and is there anything more American than apple pie? We think not! Here’s a look at what’s going on in the Portland area to celebrate this darling of fall fruits:

Oregon Heritage Farms’ Applefest
Sunday, October 9^th 10:00am-5:00pm
22801 SW Schools Ferry Road, Hillsboro 97123

Located 8 miles west of Washington Square on Scholls Ferry Road (look for the big, red barn) is Oregon Heritage Farms, a family-owned business specializing in apples. This year’s Applefest includes apple tasting (10 varieties), cider sampling, live music by Buckwheat, hay rides, and a hay maze. Kids will especially love jumping in the apple bounce house and having their face painted by local artist Roger Witter. Stop by the gift shop to purchase caramel apples, apple pies, cider, and country crafts.

Smith Berry Barn’s 18^th Annual Heirloom Apple Festival
October 15^th & 16^th 12:00pm-4:00pm
24500 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Hillsboro 97123

Enjoy a rural drive and head to Smith Berry Barn’s 18^th Annual Heirloom Apple Festival, featuring apple tasting (both heirloom and modern varieties), orchard tours, Provincial Vineyards wine tasting, live music, and a hay maze and face painting for kids. Hungry? Grilled apple sausages with fixins, homemade apple pies, caramel apples, and fresh cider available for purchase. Swing into the gift shop before you leave---it’s loaded with gourmet foods, kitchenware, cookbooks, and beautifully scented candles and soaps.

Portland Nursery’s 24^th Annual Apple Tasting Event
Friday-Sunday October 14-16 and October 21-23, 10:00am-5:00pm
5050 SE Stark, Portland 97215

Join in the apple festivities at this favorite Portland nursery (Stark Street location). There’s fun for the whole family including apple tasting (40 locally-grown varieties), cooking demonstrations, homemade strudel, live music, a canned food drive to benefit Impact Northwest, and various activities for kids. Enter to win prizes in the Scarecrow Contest and Photo Contest. Look for the big apple balloon floating above the nursery.

Other local apple orchards that are ripe with this season’s best include Sherwood Orchards, Albeke Farm, Mason Hill Orchard, and a host of orchards along the Hood River County Fruit Loop. With so many options in PDX, it’s easy to get your apple a day!

Warm-up tip: If you pick up some cider at one these events or local orchards, try this recipe for Hot Buttered Bourbon and Cider when you get home for a cozy end to the day.

Wondering what to do with those bushels of apple-y goodness? We got some advice on how to store 'em from Smith Berry Barn:
Apples are best stored in a cool, dark place at a temperature between 34 and 40 degrees. Many varieties of apples will keep up to six months within this temperature range. They may be stored in outbuildings, such as a garage or shed, but must be kept from freezing. Keep apples in a box with ventilation holes and insulate if temperatures are below freezing. Only keep apples that are free of brown or soft spots, as they will cause the entire box to spoil.

Or, if you want to use some right away, The Local Dish has a collection of apple recipes on hand to help you out.

Enjoy exploring your local orchards and farms during Apple Fest...and don't forget to stop back and comment about what apple dishes you're cookin' up!

 

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