Numerous orchards and farms in the region have a variety for purchase or for picking.
Apples are in season, which means plenty of apple pie, dumplings, applesauce, cider and just about anything else you can think of.
I am a big fan of making my own applesauce, preferring to keep it very simple: Diced apples, big pot, low heat. Do not overcook. Sweeten or season to taste.
It really is that simple.
Apples are plentiful this time of year with reports of a good crop, according to Holly Mackey, an eighth generation grower from Mackeys Orchard in Belvidere.
Mackey spent the day grading apples and preparing them for either sale, baking or cider making. Currently, patrons can visit the orchard on the weekend and pick Macintosh, ginger gold, cortland and macoon varieties, but if you are heading out this weekend, you might want to take along some bug spray and heed Mackey's warning: "Don't eat apples while picking because bees love apple juice and in this warm weather you are bound to come across some bees."
Another tip from Mackey involves what you pick. She advises that you take the advice of the grower or person who is directing you through any orchard and pick what they suggest. "Even though that Granny Smith might look like it is ready for picking, if you take it off the tree now, it will taste like cardboard," she warns. That's because Granny Smiths are among the last apples to mature.
And be sensible about what you wear in the orchard from your clothing selection to your shoes. Remember, you are out in the fields.
Mackeys is one of many farms in the area that has apples ready for picking and buying. The following is a list of apple growers in the area. Some offer picking while others offer the freshest apples of the year.
In Warren County:
- Mackey's Orchard, 284B County Route 519, Belvidere, 908-475-1507.
- Stoneyfield Orchards, 5 Orchard Street, Belvidere, 908-475-5209.
- Race Farm, 87 Belcher Road, Blairstown, 908-362-8151.
- Brook Hollow Farm, 52 Frog Pond Road, Columbia, Knowlton Township, 908-496-4577.
- Marshall's Farm Market, #114 Route 46, Delaware, Knowlton Township, 908-475-1989.
- Best's Fruit Farm, 1 Russling Road, Hackettstown, 908-852-3777.
- Donaldson Farms, 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown, 908-852-9122.
- Longmeadow Farm, 561 Blairstown Road (County Road 521), Hope, 908-459-5351.
- Apgar Cider Press, 352 Harmony Brass Castle Road, Phillipsburg, 908-859-2988 or 908-859-0599.
- Tree-Licious Orchards, 135 Karrville Road, Port Murray, 908-689-2906.
In Lehigh County:
- Grim's Greenhouse and Farm Market, 9941 Schantz Road, Upper Macungie Township, 610-395-5655.
- Hausman's Fruit Farm, 2824 Limeport Pike, Lower Milford Township, 267-980-3409.
- Pappy's Orchard, 2576 Cassel Road, Lower Milford Township, 215-679-3981.
- Strawberry Acres, 1767 Clearview Road, North Whitehall Township, 610-262-1890.
- Emerald Cider Mill, 3571 East Grant St, Washington Township, 610-767-8304
In Northampton County:
- Scholl Orchards, 3057 Center St. Bethehem, schollorchards.com.
- Gulicks Fruit Farm, 6490 Kaylor Road, Upper Mount Bethel Township, 610-498-3020.
- Seiple Farms, 5761 Nor-Bath Boulevard, East Allen Township, 610-837-0847.
- Raub's Farm Market, 1459 Tatamy Road, Palmer Township, 610-253-1419.
- Bechdolt Orchard, 2209 Leithsville Road, Lower Saucon Township, 610-838-8522.