« All Saints Day - cutting the head off a Zombie Error. | Main | Autumn in the Finger Lakes »
November 2, 2006
Apple Country
One of the delights of living in Upstate New York this time of year is apple-munching. I counted 10 varieties of loose apples at Wegman's today - all locally grown and most locally developed. Geneva is home to the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and they do apples. Lots of 'em. I think my favorite variety developed in Geneva is the Macoun.
The Experiment Station is here for the same reason William Smith College is part of Hobart -- William Smith was a rich nurseryman who wanted to support his industry and support women's education. Though their own history page doesn't mention it, I have read that Smith sold them the property (which was adjacent or very close to his own nurseries) for a nominal sum. Subsequently, Smith tried to found a Spiritualist university (this is the Burnt Over District, after all), but failing that about a hundred years ago he came to an agreement with Hobart College to found a Women's Department, which became William Smith College. The link above (at 'William Smith') makes interesting reading.
So, about apples -- today I bought Honeycrisps, a variety developed at the University of Minnesota but still good. They have their own website. Honest. And trademarked advertising taglines. Nevertheless, they're tasty apples.
I'm nobody's baker (luckily I'm in the same department with frequent reader and occasional commenter Ms. Procrastination, so I don't have to be) - I eat them raw. The most I dress apples up is to slice them over a salad with bleu cheese and pecans (a touch which I shouldn't underestimate - it makes a beautiful salad).
Finger Lakes wines and great apples - I guess they're some consolation for the snowflakes I saw on this afternoon's dog walk.
Posted by CrankyProfessor at November 2, 2006 4:18 PM