Apples, Squash and Pumpkins

It's not just the coloured leaves that mark fall, it's also apples, squash and pumpkins around here.  The Meaford/Clarksburg area is Ontario's premier apple growing area because of its unique combination of soil and micro-climate characteristics.  It's all an old glacial beach from Lake Algonquin providing well-drained soil, and the cool waters of Georgian Bay delay spring blossom time until after the risk of frost is over.

So we would never think of just buying our apples in a grocery store, and we don't just buy 'apples' either, we buy Galas, Honey Crisps, Russets and other varieties that we enjoy, at one of several local orchards.

The Vail family were among the first white settlers in the area, first settling at Vail's Point, now subsumed by the tank range.  But today they grow 300 acres of apples, using a team of 35 Jamaican farm workers, most of whom return year after year.  One of our friends works for a few weeks every year at the orchard.

These are Honey Crisp 'seconds', a much more reasonable price and just as good.  This was what we bought this time.  Honey Crisp are the most expensive apple these days, at up to $75.00 a bushel!

I think these were Galas.  Seconds are usually just a little smaller, which I prefer anyway.

They've also got lots of squash.  These big apple boxes look full, but actually there's a board just about 6" down, so they're really just piled on top.

More squash and small pumpkins for making pie - for those who prefer to make it from absolute scratch!

 Lots of big pumpkins too for Hallowe'en.  More of those tomorrow.  Hope you had a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving; we did.