Apple picking season is upon us. What's better than a fun family activity along with a picnic? It's a chance to enjoy fresh air, fun and food.
Before you go , check out the farm you've selected. Some, like Delicious Orchards in Colt's Neck, New Jersey has an entire store where you can pick up food for your outdoor meal. Buy rolls along with cold cuts for sandwiches and eat at the farm's picnic area. A few farms strictly forbid bringing food on the premises. If that's the case , there are usually scenic overlooks and parks nearby where you can eat. Research thoroughly before you go. Once you've decided, then think about what to bring. Sandwiches are always a great start. Use any cold cuts or create a carry along charcuterie platter. This can be a smaller version of what['s served at parties or lunches. Have three different kinds of cured meat, like salami , mortadella and sopprasutta along with a small loaf of crusty ciabatta bread. Add some olives and cheese cubes for the kids. Bring flavored mineral water such as San Pellegrino carbonated water for a refreshing change of pace.
Another open air idea is buying a whole roast chicken along with salads. This may be a bit more involved because you also have to carry along containers and plates. Still, it's a nice idea and a bit different than just sandwiches and chips.The one good thing is that it's a whole meal eaten before everyone starts the physical work of scouting out trees and picking apples. No one wants to make or even go out for a full dinner after an afternoon of labor. Energy boosters are a must as bring alongs. It keeps the kids from lagging and they're a nice break for both young and old.Fruit roll ups are the best bet. They're easy to pack and store in pockets.Another handy one are the yogurt pouches and squeezers. These provide protein and are filling. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are also tasty and chock full of vitamins. Of course there are the apples themselves.Just make sure you have water in the car to wash off whatever the farmers have sprayed on the fruit. Make sure you have plenty of chilled water. You'll be hot and thirsty out there under a late summer or early fall sun.
Have a fun weekend , picking apples with the family.Make it even more special with an outdoor lunch. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy the day - and time together!
Showing posts with label delicious Orchards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label delicious Orchards. Show all posts
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Friday, October 16, 2015
An Apple Picking Outing
This is the season for apple picking .It can be a fun day of enjoying the crisp fall air and having the last picnic of the season.Many orchards have picnic tables set up along with stands selling all sorts of foods.The best part is th e picking itself. Everyone will enjoy it - if done right.
One of the most important aspects of a day outdoors is the right clothing. October days run the gamut from summery to chilly and sometimes the temps change mid day. Be ready. A nippy day may heat up into one befitting July or August. It's OK to have both jeans, capris and shorts along. Everyone can wear their favorite tee but have a hoodie on hand if you or the little ones start feeling cold. Sneakers or even mocs are a must. Don't let your teens and tweens wear flip flops , no matter how comfortable or cool they feel. It's not safe. Fields have burrs and sharp twigs along with any stray nails left from any construction. Bring sun block too and lip balm.It may be the fall but the sun's rays are still strong and harmful. You can bring hats or visors if you want to protect your head and sunglasses to shield eyes from bright sunlight.Most orchards will supply pickers with bushel baskets or burlap sacks for their bounty. so you don't have to worry about bringing them. Just make sure there's plenty of room in your trunk for apples and whatever else you've picked.
This day out is the perfect day for a picnic. Always bring water along because picking is thirsty work. Juice boxes are a must if there are kids, as are bottles of unsweetened ice tea and sparkling water. Bring a thermos of hot tea, coffee or chocolate if it's a nippy day. You could even fill it with hot soup too. Bring hearty sandwiches along since both the brisk air and all that reaching and walking can work up an appetite.Have Kaiser rolls stuffed with ham and cheese or roast beef. You can add mayo to them too,now that the weather isn;t sweltering which can spoil the spread. Also pack homemade macaroni and potato salad too to round out the meal.Power bars and pretzels are great snacks to bring along too. Many orchards do have stands that sell hot dogs and soda. Some like Colt's Neck New Jersey's Delicious Orchards show case everything from Serrano ham to fresh baked breads and rolls. Anyone can easily buy their picnic food there and have freshly made customized sandwiches.. The kids may want to snack on their bounty on the ride home. Thoroughly wash all apples before hand with extra bottles of water.
Nothing is more fun than a day of apple picking. Make it truly great and enjoyable with the right gear and a hearty lunch. Then get ready to pick!!!
One of the most important aspects of a day outdoors is the right clothing. October days run the gamut from summery to chilly and sometimes the temps change mid day. Be ready. A nippy day may heat up into one befitting July or August. It's OK to have both jeans, capris and shorts along. Everyone can wear their favorite tee but have a hoodie on hand if you or the little ones start feeling cold. Sneakers or even mocs are a must. Don't let your teens and tweens wear flip flops , no matter how comfortable or cool they feel. It's not safe. Fields have burrs and sharp twigs along with any stray nails left from any construction. Bring sun block too and lip balm.It may be the fall but the sun's rays are still strong and harmful. You can bring hats or visors if you want to protect your head and sunglasses to shield eyes from bright sunlight.Most orchards will supply pickers with bushel baskets or burlap sacks for their bounty. so you don't have to worry about bringing them. Just make sure there's plenty of room in your trunk for apples and whatever else you've picked.
This day out is the perfect day for a picnic. Always bring water along because picking is thirsty work. Juice boxes are a must if there are kids, as are bottles of unsweetened ice tea and sparkling water. Bring a thermos of hot tea, coffee or chocolate if it's a nippy day. You could even fill it with hot soup too. Bring hearty sandwiches along since both the brisk air and all that reaching and walking can work up an appetite.Have Kaiser rolls stuffed with ham and cheese or roast beef. You can add mayo to them too,now that the weather isn;t sweltering which can spoil the spread. Also pack homemade macaroni and potato salad too to round out the meal.Power bars and pretzels are great snacks to bring along too. Many orchards do have stands that sell hot dogs and soda. Some like Colt's Neck New Jersey's Delicious Orchards show case everything from Serrano ham to fresh baked breads and rolls. Anyone can easily buy their picnic food there and have freshly made customized sandwiches.. The kids may want to snack on their bounty on the ride home. Thoroughly wash all apples before hand with extra bottles of water.
Nothing is more fun than a day of apple picking. Make it truly great and enjoyable with the right gear and a hearty lunch. Then get ready to pick!!!
Monday, April 1, 2013
Jersey Eating
New Jersey is known for it's diners and dives. Yet it is also known for its' fresh produce and artesanal foods. If you don't know where to get all of Jersey's best, then check out the April issue of New Jersey Monthly (on line too) It gives a comprehensive guide to where to go and what to buy and eat.
New Jersey Monthly, as with other state centered magazines, always dedicate tow issue to local produce along with a state wide guide to every county's best restaurants. The Garden State was just that and in some areas still is. NJM has one article on where to find the best farms and markets. One mentioned is Dearborn Farms,an all inclusive stand on Route 35 in Holmdel. This is one of my all time favorites places to buy fresh fruits and vegetables along with fresh made breads and cake. Another market mentioned is the famed Delicious Orchards which is one of the state's oldest. This is a great place to visit, especially after a day at the beach. It has acres of orchards along with the original store in which to find everything from fresh picked fruit to home made cold and hot cider.(along with cider doughnuts too!)
The magazine gives a special nod as well to some of the artesanal food businesses. One is the Cherry Grove Farm and Creamery. It's rare that the state is associated with a creamery. Usually other states like New York and Wisconsin are known for their rich dairy farms and products. This one, located in Lawrenceville, relies on its' cows to give the main ingredient for hand wrought cheeses.freshly laid eggs can be bought in Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May, another artesanal industry, along with fresh cherry tomatoes and greens.Want bigger eggs?NJM features the state's only ostrich farm, located in the western NJ towns of Lafayette and Hardyston. Todd Applebaum,originally a Northern NJan owns and operates and provides both the meat and live birds to restaurants and zoos
If you're a Garden Stater or just visiting ,pick up the April issue of New Jersey monthly. Discover the treats the state has to give.It's not just diners , full of mammoth entrees but gourmet and organic dining. It's fresh food raised right.
New Jersey Monthly, as with other state centered magazines, always dedicate tow issue to local produce along with a state wide guide to every county's best restaurants. The Garden State was just that and in some areas still is. NJM has one article on where to find the best farms and markets. One mentioned is Dearborn Farms,an all inclusive stand on Route 35 in Holmdel. This is one of my all time favorites places to buy fresh fruits and vegetables along with fresh made breads and cake. Another market mentioned is the famed Delicious Orchards which is one of the state's oldest. This is a great place to visit, especially after a day at the beach. It has acres of orchards along with the original store in which to find everything from fresh picked fruit to home made cold and hot cider.(along with cider doughnuts too!)
The magazine gives a special nod as well to some of the artesanal food businesses. One is the Cherry Grove Farm and Creamery. It's rare that the state is associated with a creamery. Usually other states like New York and Wisconsin are known for their rich dairy farms and products. This one, located in Lawrenceville, relies on its' cows to give the main ingredient for hand wrought cheeses.freshly laid eggs can be bought in Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May, another artesanal industry, along with fresh cherry tomatoes and greens.Want bigger eggs?NJM features the state's only ostrich farm, located in the western NJ towns of Lafayette and Hardyston. Todd Applebaum,originally a Northern NJan owns and operates and provides both the meat and live birds to restaurants and zoos
If you're a Garden Stater or just visiting ,pick up the April issue of New Jersey monthly. Discover the treats the state has to give.It's not just diners , full of mammoth entrees but gourmet and organic dining. It's fresh food raised right.
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