Farm Fresh to Favorite Recipes: Apples
As a child my family and I would go to Wilson’s Apple Orchard & Farm in Solon, Iowa to pick apples in the fall. This year I had the opportunity to go when I had a last minute trip to take care of a family member. I enjoyed visiting the orchard again and seeing how the farm has evolved over the past 20+ years.
The Farm Visit: The apple orchard was established in 1980 and was opened to the public in 1985 with over 100 varieties of apples in the orchard. I remember taking a wagon ride out into the orchard with my family to pick apples when I was very young. Since then the orchard was sold to another family (in 2009) and the business has greatly expanded to include the farm market, a new cider house and a restaurant, an event space and they have expanded into other crops. They also have a u-pick flower patch (my favorite part of the farm of course)!
Picking Apples & Cutting Flowers: My sister-in-law and I took a tractor ride out to the apple orchard and got to see the rows and rows of different varieties they grow. I know I should have been more adventurous with my choice of apple but I ate a delicious Honeycrisp apple while we were there. We also enjoyed the u-cut flower patch and picked a gorgeous bouquet for just $8!
Lunch @ The Orchard: After our orchard visit and u-cut flowers we went up to the farm stand. They were selling hot apple cider donuts, turnovers, cinnamon rolls, espresso drinks, their own sparkling apple ciders/sparkling waters/hard ciders, etc. We enjoyed the apple cider donuts and a speciality pizza made in their wood-fired oven and topped with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese. The view from the picnic table overlooking the orchard was stunning.
Celebrating my Mom: Every time I am in Iowa and especially when I am in the lake house sunroom I feel my Mom’s presence. After orchard visits when I was a child my Mom would make Cinnamon & Spice Apples. Check out the recipe below!
Kelly’s Cinnamon & Spice Apples
You can use these cinnamon & spice apples in so many ways – eat them on their own, fold them into dough for an apple cinnamon roll, make a cinnamon apple turnover (recipe link below), or add to overnight oats for a delicious breakfast. This recipe makes ~ 1/3 of a cup per apple so feel free to double/triple/quadruple the recipe as needed.
Ingredients:
- 1 apple, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
- 1/4 tsp all-spice (or you can use nutmeg, cardamom, pumpkin spice, cloves, etc.)
Step One: In a small non-stick pan on medium heat add the diced apple, maple syrup, and cinnamon sugar + a 1/4 tsp of spice of your choice. Sauté for ~5 minutes until the apples are soft.
Step Two: Let cool slightly before eating or using in another recipe.
Onto the Table: Below are links to some of my favorite apple recipes for you to try and enjoy!
Kristin
I was born and raised as a farm girl in the Midwest and have spent the past 20 years living in Australia, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest working as a marine mammal biologist. I love spending time with family, gardening, being outside, and I enjoy making delicious meals for my friends and family. My beloved mama, Kelly passed away in late 2020 and this website is dedicated to her - she taught me to be a grateful heart and see the beauty that surrounds me in all that I do.
One Comment
Jan
Spiced apples in the fall! Nothing better!