Half Baked Pie

Pick Your Own: Apples (2011)

Happy Columbus Day, Everyone! It promises to be another beautiful day on the South Shore. We are planning to relax at the beach and maybe try out Grotto Gelato. 80 degrees on October 10th! I can’t believe I’m saying that!

Yesterday we took the boys apple picking at Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, MA. The orchard has been family owned and operated since 1923. The day was perfect for picking apples – blue skies, blazing sunshine and 84 degrees. Usually the weather isn’t so warm for our annual apple picking adventure, but we had so much fun.

We’ve been taking John there since he was 8 months old.

John’s first time apple picking! (2006)

The following year he ate about seven apples and we thought he was going to be sick!

(2007)

So going to Honey Pot Hills has become something of a family tradition. When Conor was first born we tried out an orchard closer to home, but just didn’t love it. There weren’t many varieties so we’ve been going back to Honey Pot ever since.

Here is Conor’s first time at Honey Pot Hills:

Conor devouring an apple! (2010)

Honey Pot Hill Orchards offers so much for families. Not only do they have a sprawling 200 acres orchard with plenty of parking, but they also have a hedge maze, hayrides, farm animals, pumpkins and a farm store.

The apples are the most delicious and crisp I’ve ever eaten. This weekend they had plenty of: Macouns, MacIntosh, Cortand, Empire, Red & Golden Delicious and Jonagold. We’ve also picked pears at the orchard, but I don’t think they are in season right now.

Yesterday at the orchard trees were filled with apples, their limbs bending with the fruits’ weight.

I love apple picking. I have so many great memories of going with school and trying to find just that right apple. My favorite part of picking is spending time with my family and taking in the amazing views and the changing colored leaves. Luke loves sampling the apples and making sure we are filling our tote with only yummy varieties. John and Conor enjoy finding the apples that are down low. They ran from tree to tree looking for just the right ones, slowly turning each apple until it popped off the stem. We got a 1/2 peck for $23 which is loads of apples!!! So we now have plenty for snacking, sharing, baking and cooking. We think you should try out Honey Pot soon; it is open daily 9:30 to 5pm.

If you go please don’t leave without trying the apple cider donuts. They are heavenly! Cake-like, filled with apples and dusted with crisp sugar. I’ve never had anything so delicious. We feasted on apples followed by apple cider donuts for lunch.

Conor enjoying his donut.

If you’ve gone picking, or plan to, then you need something to do with all those apples. We recommend Nanny’s Half-Baked Pie with ice cream (of course). Nanny’s recipe is below. Happy picking!

Nanny’s Half-Baked Pie (Crumble)

Cut apple into 1″ pieces and put into an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with

sugar to taste.

Rub 2/3 of a cup of butter into 2 cups of flour. When like breadcrumbs mix

in 2/3 of a cup of sugar. Sprinkle the mixture over the apple and put into a preheated

oven 200c [400f] for about 35min until golden brown.

Feel free to add cinnamon, nutmeg, berries and/or rhubarb (when in season).