We were blessed with another Deer Mouse this week. This time of year they seem to move into the house in preparation for winter. We encourage them to live somewhere else (we provide transportation at no charge). However, we are not sure our relocation program is successful—are we just catching the dumb ones, leaving the smart ones to breed?
One of the bounties we received by letting our field revert to nature was an explosion of blackberry. Blackberries are one of our most productive crops that supplies us with fruit though winter and into the spring. But now in late fall, over two months since the last berry was picked, the blackberry canes are putting on a wonderful display of color.
Blue Pearmain is a fine dessert apple. While it shares the same name as the Gray Pearmain, its character and appearance could not be more different. A subtle apple with a soft texture and mild flavor. This heirloom variety has been grown throughout Maine and New England for more than 200 years.
Gray Pearmain is a russet apple, which is marked by a rich, earthy taste. The character is not quite as distinctive as the Golden Russet—the Pearmain has a cleaner flavor. Like many fall varieties, it stores well. A great apple.
Naomi and I moved to Maine in 2006. We soon settled in a small cape on four and a half acres of land. Part of our property is a small field that was dutifully cut every year. We stopped that practice and let the field chose its own destiny. It was not long before it was populated with all kinds of plants. Goldenrod is the most prolific and, at this time of year, has traded its gold for silver.
Mutsu is a beautiful yellow apple that can develop a red blush. The variety is thought to have originated in Japan. If you have had Asian or Japanese pears, then this apple is going remind you of those. It is large with a finely textured skin and a satisfying crispness when you bite into one. The flavor is complex—it takes some time to realize its character. Sweet, yes, but also tangy.
Winter Banana is one of our favorite apples. It is a large fruit with a smooth waxy skin. Its distinctive yellow with a bright red blush makes it quite startling at first sight. Winter Banana is a crisp apple that has a slight tart character with a banana undertone. We have used these in pies. The flavor is fine, but it does fall apart and becomes more like apple sauce than apple slices.
The wonderful thing of living in a place with so many orchards is the variety of apples. We especially love the heirloom varieties. To me, the Golden Russet is one of the great apples. Russets are recognizable by the texture of the skin. Biting into one gives an instant reward—it is a crisp apple that has a strong earthy flavor. If you have never tasted a russet, it is hard to describe its complex character. This apple stores well and is excellent for sweet and hard ciders.
Click on the image for a larger view.
Looking across Pinkham Notch toward Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison. Click on the image for a larger view.
