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Merit Badge Chit Chat:  About those Apples . . .  |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 12:40:10 PM
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Hey Farmgirls,
I'm working on submitting my application for the APPLES Merit Badge. I basically grew up in an apple orchard as my dad raised several varieties and we sold them by the truckloads. He also made cider on a commercial cider press and sold that "nectar of the gods" by gallon after gallon. His apples and his cider were sought after by many, many people. He has been gone now for quite some time and the orchards are owned by other folks, but you can still tell the old-timers that these are "Gaylord's Apples"!
TWO THINGS that I didn't know and have learned recently are:
1) the origin of apples was China. Even though I grew up “in an apple orchard” I never really knew that origin.
2) the Red Delicious variety was “perfected” in the State of Washington. While I knew Washington was a state where apples were a primary crop I didn’t know this. I did know that there was somewhat of a “competition” between Colorado (which is where our orchards are and a great apple state) and Washington for apples!
Thanks for letting me share!
CJ
These are some Romes and Golden Delicious (with a kiss)from the orchard
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
Edited by - ceejay48 on Feb 02 2016 2:00:07 PM |
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Marilyn Hartman Sullivan
True Blue Farmgirl
1138 Posts
Marilyn
Oxford
PA
USA
1138 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 1:22:25 PM
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CeeJay - I was born and lived in Washington until about 5 years ago. We learned all about the Red Delicious when I was in school, of course, and it was "THE" lunchbox apple when we were kids. It used to be a really nice crisp apple, but over time they have bred it to where it is grainy and tasteless, and I won't touch them. When I went to Indiana for high school, I was surprised to find that the first weekend in October in our little town was Apple Festival! I guess apples grow well in southern Indiana, too. I had always heard that Michigan had good apples, too. When Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo moved to Missouri, it was touted as "The Land of the Big Red Apple."
These days, my favorite is the Crispin (Mutsu) from Colora Orchards down in Maryland.
The apple sure is a staple crop, and such a wonderful food it is!
Farmgirl #6318
"Where there's a will -- there's probably a family fight." |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 1:57:22 PM
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Love that beautiful basketful of apples, CeeJay! Makes me want to grab one and start munching. Once you start learning about the history of apples, it is such fun because we have taken apples for granted and never really knew what an important fruit it has been through the millennial. Everyone can appreciate apples even if they are not their favorite fruit.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 2:14:28 PM
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What a great history CJ. Apples are such a wonderful fruit. Congratulations on completing the Apple Merit Badge. I bet this badge holds a special place in your heart.
Krista |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 2:28:52 PM
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Apples, YUMMMY I love the Honey Crisp eat one a day when I can get them. We transport millions of apples out of the Washington to Ohio. The care and storage of the Apple is really interesting too. We got a small Apple press last year and put up 48 quarts of cider I was not thinking and should have made vinegar too.
The DH always pressed cider and home made doughnuts as a kid growing up so the tradition continues.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2016 : 11:10:47 AM
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We like the Honey Crisp as well, however, they were not around when my dad planted his orchards. But I do like the Galas for eating fresh, as well as the Red Delicious, or Golden Delicious. The Romes are my favorite for baking, but I like to mix them with Jonathan and Winesap to make applesauce. I don't peel my apples, just cut up and cook in pressure cooker and then press through a ricer . . that way the color from the peelings makes the applesauce pink! If I'm freezing or canning the applesauce I don't add any sugar or anything until we use it and then usually only cinnamon. A bit of brown sugar if it needs a bit of sweet but very rarely!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1510 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2016 : 8:45:22 PM
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I have to agree with my evil twin sister Marilyn Hartman Sullivan that Red Delicious apples are no longer all they were once cracked up to be. My current favorites are Gravenstein, Braeburn and HoneyCrisp. The best apples I've ever had though were Buckley Giant but sadly our tree fell over in an ice storm several years ago and I've not been able to find a replacement. They were huge...about the size of a large Grapefruit with a crisp tart flavor that made the best pies and applesauce. I have many happy memories of helping to make cider in the fall at my great aunt and uncle's farm.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2016 : 06:03:29 AM
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And......only 8 more months until our MJF Apple Festival month celebration!! Recently, one of our grocery stores has been carrying the Opal apples from Washington state. They are a beautiful deep yellow color with a tart and juicy flesh. I am enjoying them every day lately!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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KristiW
Moderator/Farmgirl True
639 Posts
Kristine
MaryJanesFarm
USA
639 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2016 : 06:46:47 AM
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Winnie I haven't heard of the Opal variety, so I will keep an eye out for them. You'd think I'd know every apple being from Washington!
Kristi
Farmgirl Sister #6
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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Marilyn Hartman Sullivan
True Blue Farmgirl
1138 Posts
Marilyn
Oxford
PA
USA
1138 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2016 : 11:42:45 AM
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Marilyn!!! -- I had friends who had a Buckley Giant tree years ago and it was the BEST! One big apple per pie. They lived down near Puyallup and had a few dwarf fruit trees.
Farmgirl #6318
"Where there's a will -- there's probably a family fight." |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2016 : 10:42:11 AM
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Sharing my Apple BakeOver recipe with you. We thought it was YUMMMY!!
If you try it, I hope you like it!
Thanks for letting me share!
CJ
CJ’s APPLE BAKEOVER
4 medium apples (I used Rome Beauty), unpeeled and diced (you may peel them if you prefer)
4 tblsp. butter
˝ c. brown sugar
1 tsp sea salt
Ľ c. finely chopped nuts
1 tblsp. honey
Combine these ingredients and place in the bottom of a greased bundt cake pan (or any other baking dish). Drizzle with the honey
BakeOver Topping:
3 tblsp. butter, melted
1 ˝ c. Budget Mix (I used the whole wheat version)
˝ c. brown sugar
2 eggs
˝ c. plain Greek yogurt
˝ c. milk, buttermilk or cream
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Combine all the topping ingredients, spread over the apple mixture. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Cool until just warm and then turn out onto plate. Serve warm, and whipped cream or ice cream makes a wonderful addition!
I made mine in a bundt pan, then was able to "dress it up" with a tealight in a votive holder in the center hole.
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..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
Edited by - ceejay48 on Feb 05 2016 10:44:36 AM |
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jillyd
True Blue Farmgirl
728 Posts
Jill
Saanichton
British Columbia
Canada
728 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2016 : 1:36:13 PM
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That looks delicious, thanks for including the recipe!
Jill
Farmgirl #6748 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2016 : 6:05:33 PM
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This is so awesome CJ! My son, Gabriel, who is 5, has wanted to be an Apple Farmer since he was 3. It will be part of our farm. A small orchard. Here in Southern Indiana! Yep, we can grow pretty good apples around here! I love Gala, personally!
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2016 : 06:30:07 AM
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Ohhh, CeeJay, that apple BakeOver looks fantastic! Yum!!
Alicia, having an apple orchard would be awesome! There are so many great ways to enjoy apples and you can have varieties that ripen from late Summer to late Fall to spread out the bounty. Like CJ says, there is nothing tastier than homegrown apples!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
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ceridwen
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Carole
New York
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2016 : 08:04:22 AM
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CJ, Wow! Your Apple Bakeover looks delish! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
I "should" work on my apple badge. We have an, well they claim to be the largest "Mcintosh" apple orchard in the world, just down the road from me. Love to shop there. They have a wonderful boutique full of apple theme items, books, cookbooks, pie plates etc... a bakery .... Oh and coolers full of a variety of apples. If that wasn't enough to entice you, the ladies who work there are all quilters! They are presently closed for the season, but should open back up soon! Miss not being able to go there!
Thanks again for the encouragement to check my badge binder to see where I left off!
Cheers!
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com
http://www.fibrejunction.com |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2016 : 11:50:48 AM
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CeeJay, it would be awesome to come in the Fall to pick apples with you and make a BakeOver together!! It is a shame I live so cotton picking' far away!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2016 : 06:16:14 AM
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I am sure Fall is quite lovely in Colorado, CeeJay and maybe one day I can make it out. Thanks for the invitation too! If it was possible, I would love to drive all over the US and just go and visit Farmgirls along the way. It would be such a fun trip, but quite a bit of driving!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2016 : 11:57:41 AM
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Winnie, I would like to do the same thing.
My daughter and I have had the privilege of driving into Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington, meeting farmgirls along the way. Our glamping road trip in 2013 took us THREE days of driving to get from her house in Phoenix to Spokane, Washington. And, I had to drive ONE day to get from my house in southwest Colorado to get to her house, so we could start our trip together.
We rented a van for that trip and put 4000 miles on it in that road trip!
Yup, lots of driving!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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Merit Badge Chit Chat: About those Apples . . . |
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About those Apples . . .
