A Gift of Apples

A few weeks ago, my husband and I received a surprise package in the mail–a gift box from our dear friend in Upstate New York!  I had just remarked earlier that week to my husband that apple pie season was in the air, and that we should get some apples.  I am so glad that I hadn’t yet acted on that impulse, because the wonderful gift that we received were picture perfect apples from the Lake Plain!

There must have been two dozen apples–two different kinds, our friend told us in her lovely note enclosed, Cortland and a new variety, Zestar!  The apples looked beautiful, some a darker rose and green, and others yellow and peach/rose colored.  They almost looked too pretty to eat or cook, but that was not stopping us!

We ate some of them each day and my husband took one to work with him everyday for an afternoon snack.  They tasted so delicious.  Our supply started dwindling, and I realized that I had better make sure I saved some for the ultimate dessert fall dessert that I like to make in September or October, a homemade apple pie!

Of course by the time I got around to making sure I had my supplies for the task, the supply was further depleted–but there were just enough of the gorgeous fruit left to make an awesome apple pie earlier this week.  As expected, the taste did not disappoint…I believe this was perhaps the tastiest apple pie I have made in quite a long time.  I believe that these apples made the difference.  I enjoy the pie crust, but for us, the apples are the star of the show.   It was amazing that any pie was left for the second day!

Had it not been for our dear, dear friend’s special fall surprise, we would have never been able to have such a seasonal treat all the way from the orchards of the Lake Plain region of New York State!  Thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness and generosity, always!

Happy apple eating and pie baking! 

As always, Juliette