By: Jessica Ivaska | October 21 2010
Posted in Seattle - Grow It - Seattle

Photo: Flickr

It’s that time of year when the brisk fall air reminds us of the sweet crunch of a perfect Honeycrsip apple. Yes, it’s apple season and here in Washington, we take our apples very seriously. How could we not? We’re known worldwide for our delicious fruits.

So what makes a Washington apple so special? The right climate, perfect soil and a whole lotta love.

Jones Creek Farm, owned and operated by Washington's own Price family, is a place where that love is all around. Located 65 miles north of Seattle in beautiful Sedro Wolley, the 34-acre farm boasts a variety of crops including tomatoes, garlic, plums and pears, but specializes in apples—lots and lots of apples. Right around 120 different varieties. Yes 120! So whether you’re looking for apples to slice, dice, bake, roast or munch, you’re sure to find the perfect one.

Photo by Les Price

With a vision to provide great and varied fruit, the Price family planted their first apple trees in 1993. They and their customers have been reaping the benefits ever since. The best part? You can pick them yourself.

Apple picking season is in full swing at Jones Creek Farm and there’s no better way to spend a fall afternoon than strolling through the orchard. It's one of life's simple pleasures to reach up and grasp a firm, sweet Braeburn, Jonagold, Fuji or Gravenstein before heading for home with your basket full, ready to enjoy some of this season’s sweetest offerings.  After enjoying a few right off the tree, try whipping up this apple sauce recipe, straight from the farm:

Jones Creek Farms Pink Applesauce

Ingredients

5-6 lbs of Jones Creek Farms King and Pink Pearl apples

1 cup water

1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

dash of cloves

 

Directions

Core, peel and slice apples.

Place apples in a large dutch oven or canning pot with water.

Heat slowly until water begins to boil.

Lower heat to simmer and stir occasionally until apples become tender.

Stir in sugar and spices.

Slowly return to a boil then remove from heat and mash to the desired consistancy.

 

Farmer Les Price has just one tip when you’re selecting apples: Don’t go to the grocery store! “Tree ripe is everything,” he says, “And you will never find that in a grocery store.”

If you’re pressed for time and can’t spare an afternoon at the farm, you can still enjoy the harvest by stopping by the Jones Farm Booth at one of these Seattle-area farmers’ markets:

Redmond Saturday Market
University District Farmers Market
Broadway

Jones Creek Farm offers over 100 varieties of apples, including popular choices for cooking and eating on their own.

 

Best for Cooking:

Gravenstein

King

Bramley's

Cortland

Boskoop

Northern Spy

Callvile Blanc

 

Best for Eating:

Akane

Spartan

Cox Orange Pippin

Melrose

Karmijn

McIntosh

Ashmede's Kernel

 

Storing Apples

Don’t wash apples until you’re ready to use them

Keep apples in a cool, dark place to help them maintain their texture and flavor

Wrap apples individually in newspaper to keep them from bruising and spoiling

 

< Prev		Next >