Apple Picking: From Orchard to Table

Apple picking to me has always seemed to be a quintessential autumn activity in New England. Despite my twenty five summers in Maine, apple picking was never checked off of my bucket list due to school schedules and working abroad. It always seemed to be an activity that solely existed between the pages of a book like Anne of Green Gables or printed in a magazine alongside images of rustic barns. 

This year, I finally checked apple picking off of my bucket list at Rocky Ridge Orchard in Topsham, Maine. This delightful little orchard and bakery provides visitors with a beautiful country landscape and opportunities to fill your bag or wagon with apples, pumpkins, homemade bread, honey, pastries, antiques, and much more. 

If you are eager to pick apples, Rocky Ridge boasts of a number of varieties including McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Crab Apples, and many more. My friend, Whitney, and I selected McIntosh and enjoyed picking the best-looking ones in the light misty air. 

Upon our return from Rocky Ridge and the supermarket, we began our ambitious project of baking two apple custard cakes (from Yankee magazine) and one apple pie. Both proved to be fairly straightforward and soon enough, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and apples filled the kitchen. 

Eating our creations at the end of the day made me appreciate all of the home baked goods I’ve enjoyed over the years. My grandfather used to cultivate his own fruits and vegetables and always kept everyone’s belly full with his love for food. Supporting a local farm also felt really nice. I hope to make apple picking an annual tradition. 

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