It’s officially September and that means…Apples! Apples are amazing. Versatile fruit that can make oodles of different recipes with many different tastes. Apples are also loaded with health benefits, bonus! They are rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, potassium and calcium and very easy to digest (perfect for babies first food).
If you live in Wisconsin nothing feels quite like fall more than a trip to an apple orchard. The sound of the crisp leaves crunching beneath your feet, the smell of fresh cider and growing apples…pure bliss. If you’re looking to pick your own apples this month, in the Madison area we have some nice options. Here are three we have been to:
- Appleberry Farm – Uses integrated pest management practices,
8079 Maurer Road, Cross Plains, WI 53528. Phone: 608 798 2780. Open: Labor Day through Halloween, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Gorgeous views with lots of family fun! Apple varieties: Over 30 Antique apple varieties, plus McIntosh, Cortland, Connell Red, Idared, Empire, Jonathan, NW Greening, Russets, & Prairie Spy. McIntosh you are available for U-Pick.
- Door Creek Orchard – Uses integrated pest management practices,
3252 Vilas Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527. Phone: 608-838-4762. Open: Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm; August 31st through most of November. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Grow over 80 varieties of apples, modern and heirloom. All crops are grown with loving care and the absolute minimum of chemicals. U-pick apples and amazing cider made 0n-site!!
- Eplegaarden Orchard –
2273 Fitchburg Road, Fitchburg, WI. Phone: 608-845-5966. Open: Tuesday -Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Sunday from 11am-5pm. Old fashioned orchard with u-pick apples, tons of baked goods and little red wagons for hauling your goods (or kiddos).
Now you are wondering what to do with all those apples you picked? Here are some of my favorite apple recipes, enjoy! (also check out last week’s post, it had two apple recipes)
Bring on Fall! Don’t forget about Lapacek’s Orchard in Poynette. Really family friendly and lots of local picking options.
Thanks!! We will have to check that one out, we have not been before.
Popovers (aka: yorkshire pudding) are my favorites! Cheese and apples are also big in our house. Definitely going to try the apple/cheese recipe next time. Thanks!
Hooray! You’ll have to let me know how you like them.
I also want to second Nicole’s recommendation of Lapacek’s in Poynette. It’s very much worth the drive and so family friendly!
I love apples! My refrigerator is currently full of orchard apples for eating. I’ll be getting some this weekend for making into sauce. I may make an apple spice cake for my birthday next week. I love fresh orchard apples!
Hooray for apples and happy early birthday:)
[…] a bonus – here are two great links for recipes to use those apples you pick! APPLE RECIPES ONE PUMPKIN & ONE APPLE RECIPE (both with just 3 easy […]