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MORRIS COUNTY

It’s apple-picking season in Morris County

ANN MARIE BARRON
Correspondent

It’s the perfect time of year to go apple picking.

With some apples sweeter than others, each type you’ll find in Morris area orchards offers something special, making them all worthy of exploration.

There are more than 6,000 named apple varieties in the world, each with its own distinct characteristics, and New Jersey is home to more than 30 of them. And, the Garden State presents perfect conditions for apple productions, experts say, even better than those in Washington State.

“We have an excellent climate for apples, four seasons, adequate chilling,” said Win Cowgill, professor and area fruit agent for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension at Rutgers University, noting that recent weather has made things even better.

SEE ALSO: Visit these Morris apple cider mills http://dailyre.co/1LRMY0p

“We’ve had perfect growing conditions,” he said, noting that dry weather, the kind that has kept our lawns brown this summer, is perfect for every fruit group and vegetable. “If you don’t have lots of water, you don’t dilute the sugar in the fruit,” he said, noting that farmers can compensate for nature’s dryness with just enough irrigation. “If they’re not drought-stressed and not overwatered, they will concentrate sugar.”

Despite the enormous variety available to us, some of which have been around since the 1700s, those at the apple breeding program at Rutgers University, the state’s land grant university, are always busy trying to create even more, Cowgill said. Suncrisp is a variety developed at Rutgers, a product of nearly 40 years of hybridization.

At Wightman’s Farm in Morristown, 34 varieties make a showing each fall, including Honeycrisp, Winesap, Macoon, and a new variety called Cameo — a cross between Red Delicious and Winesap.

“We have all colors, the greens and the reds, it’s gorgeous,” said Jessica Churgin, assistant manager of the Morristown farm, which is in its 96th year of business. “People like the sweet ones to eat. But if you’re making pie, you want an apple that’s more tart and more crisp, so that it holds up. Empire, Golden Delicious and Jonagold are widely believed to be best for pie making.”

Though the picking season for Honeycrisp apples has passed, they remain Churgin’s favorite. “They’re a special apple,” she said. “They’re large, crisp, sweet — but they have a distinct sweetness.”

Honeycrisp apples, though, are still available in stores, including the Wightman’s Farm stand, located at 1111 Mount Kemble Avenue. Of course, apples are perfect for pies and applesauce, but nothing beats eating one out of hand.

“It’s a healthy way to get the sugar your body wants without eating processed food,” Churgin said. “And if you put apples in a cooler, they’ll last quite a long time.”

New Jersey’s most popular varieties of apples, according to the state Department of Agriculture, include Cortland, which is slightly tart, yet good for eating. It works well in salads, sauces, pies and freezing. Another favorite is Empire, which blends a sweet and tart flavor. Macoun, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Fuji apples are all very sweet, and pair well with salads.

Gala apples are mildly sweet and also excellent for salads and eating out of hand, while McIntosh apples mix sweetness with a slightly tart taste. Granny Smiths are flavored; good for all-purpose use, while Jonathans and Jonagolds offer a hint of tartness and are good for all purposes.

When it comes to finding your favorite, there’s no better way than trial and error, Churgin said. “Apple picking is a great way to get family and friends outside to connect with nature,” she said. “Picking the right apple reflects your personality.”

When it comes to eating apples out of hand, there’s no clear favorite, Cowgill said. “About 40 percent (of people) like sweet, 40 percent like tart and 20 percent like ‘in between,’ ” he said. Rutgers’ Suncrisp pleases that 20 percent who like a mix of sweet and tart, he said.

As far as nutritional value goes, apples are a home run. One apple has only 100 calories, no fat and counts as one cup in the www.choosemyplate.gov food group, which recommends two cups of fruits each day. It provides you with four grams of fiber, too – that’s 20 percent of the daily recommendation. Apples also provide fourteen percent of the daily value of vitamin C, as well as small amounts of vitamin A and iron. They can be eaten warm or cold and store well when kept cool.

Fresh apples are a great snack or dessert. Below are a few use suggestions and tips, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Apple uses and tips

  • Do not wash apples until ready to eat.
  • Always store apples in the refrigerator; storing them at room temperature will allow them to get mushy more quickly.
  • Dip apple slices in peanut butter or serve with crackers and cheese for a quick and easy snack.
  • Fresh apples make delicious baked fruit desserts, including breads, muffins, cobblers and crisps.
  • Apples are delicious baked alongside pork or poultry or chopped into stuffing or sauces.
  • To prevent sliced apples from browning, dip into a mix of 1 part lemon juice and 3 parts water.

Share your apple-picking photos. Email to eabreu@gannettnj.com

Nearby apple orchards

Sun High Orchards, 19 Canfield Ave., Randolph, 973-584-4734, www.sunhigh.com

Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, 908-879-7189, www.alstedefarms.com

Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill, 104 State Park Road, Chester, 908-879-6593, www.njcidermill.com

Melick Orchards, 472 County Road 513, Califon, 908-832-2905, www.melickstownfarm.com

Melick Orchards, 170 Oldwick Road, Oldwick, 908-439-2955, www.melickstownfarm.com

Ort Farms, 25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, 908-876-3351, www.ortfarms.com

Riamede Farm, 122 Oakdale Road, Chester, 908-879-5353, www.riamede.com

Stony Hill Farms, 15 North Road, Chester, 908-879-2696, www.stonyhillfarms.com

Wightman’s Farms, 1111 Mt. Kemble Avenue, Morristown, 973-425-9819, www.wightmansfarms.com

RECIPE: APPLE CRISP

Recipe provided by the USDA

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

4-5 medium apples, center removed, sliced

1/4 cup quick-cooking oatmeal

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar (or 1/2 cup regular sugar)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 cup margarine

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Coat the bottom and sides of a square 8x8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread apple slices on the bottom of the pan.

Cut the margarine into small pieces and put in a medium-sized bowl. Add the oatmeal, flour, sugar and cinnamon.

Use two knives to “chop” the margarine into the flour mixture until it looks like small crumbs. (Use two table knives in each hand. Pull the margarine through the flour mixture in opposite directions.)

Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the apples.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.