In this episode learn what fruit you should be looking out for in the grocery store or farmers market during the month of September. Apples are of course at top of mind along with grapes, pears, and peaches from a state you may not be expecting.
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You can listen to this podcast episode below or listen on any of these podcast players - Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts. If you would prefer to read the text, you will find a transcript below.
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You can't talk about September fruit without first talking about apples. This is the start of the peak apple season. For the next two months you should be searching out for apples at orchards and farm stands. I hope you get a chance to pick your own if you are able. Check out our earlier podcast episode on what apples varieties I recommend searching out for.
Even if you aren't in an area where you can pick apples, it's still a better time to get them even at the grocery store. Gala and Honeycrisp apples are at their peak in September. You want get them as fresh off the tree as possible and it doesn't get any fresher this month for these two popular varieties.
September is also the peak month for grapes in the US. If you want to make your own grape jelly, this is when Concord grapes are in season. Do you like white grape juice? Look to see if Niagara grapes are grown in your area. Seriously these are the most fragrant grapes you will ever come across. You can smell them before you see them!
As for top eating grapes, anything you can find from Grapery will delight your taste buds. Look for Cotton Candy, Moon Drops, Gum Drops, Tear Drops, and their Limited grapes this month. In terms of flavor and texture, nothing beats Grapery. To learn more about them look up our podcast episode on What to Expect from Grapery in 2023.
Pears are coming of the trees left and right this month. This is your peak season for Bartlett pears. Grocery stores don't offer much in terms of varieties of pears, but if you visit a farmers market you may find some ones you have never see. Aurora is a variety to look out for. I have only gotten them from a grower from Michigan that sells at the farmers market in Toledo, Ohio. But it's everything you want in a pear - sweet, rich flavor, and smooth texture. My wife hates gritty pears and this Aurora pears are the complete opposite of gritty.
At the start of this episode I mentioned peaches from a state you may not be expecting. While Idaho is known for their potatoes, do not ever sleep on their peaches. They are amazing in flavor, size, and sweetness. Typically Idaho peaches are the last ones I buy in the season. I have had them in even early October and they have been amazing. I have seen them in stores in Ohio and Wisconsin after their local peach season has ended. If ever there was a time the phrase "save the best for late" should be used, this is it!
🛒 Before You Checkout
When you are buying apples, it's good to learn about how long they store. Some varieties store better and longer than others. Do a search on Eat Like No One Else for that variety and if you don't find it let me know and I will add that variety to the blog.
If it's one that doesn't store that long, you don't want to buy too many. Normally the issue you face is the apples getting to soft, not necessarily being bad. Whenever I have apple gets too soft, I save enough in the fridge until I can make homemade applesauce. I have several recipes on the blog you can try out that includes an Instant Pot recipe, roasted applesauce, and flavored applesauce like peach or cranberry.
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