Issues → September/October 2008 → Food →
Season's Best 5 Apples
McIntosh, Cortland, Baldwin, and more
by Amy Traverso
We asked Yankee's former food editor, Amy Traverso (whose book on cooking with apples will be published in 2009 by W.W. Norton), for her five favorites among the more than 40 varieties commonly available in New England.
MCINTOSH
Although native to Ontario, the Mac is the most popular apple variety in New England. Tender, tart flesh makes it a good match for applesauce, cider, and eating out of your hand.
CORTLAND
Sweeter and firmer than the Mac, its juicy flesh holds up to baking and is also slow to brown, making it a perfect choice for salads and other raw preparations.
ROXBURY RUSSET
Possibly the oldest American apple cultivar (mid-1600s), this Massachusetts native has firm flesh and a good balance of sugar and acid. Great for baking and a favorite among cider makers.
BALDWIN
Another Massachusetts native (dating to the mid-1700s), the Baldwin is a terrific all-purpose apple, with crisp, juicy flesh and a slightly spicy flavor.
R.I. GREENING
One of the best pie apples around, the Greening originated in Newport. Crisp and juicy, it's a pleasure to eat out of your hand, and its tart flavor makes a great foil for buttery pastry.
RECIPES
Now try a pie or pandowdy with these 10 apple recipes.
Reader Comments
Comment from Jackie Adrion on October 3, 2008
Whenever I see an article on apples, I never see Northern Spies listed. My mother always favored them for pies. I grew up in Ithaca, N.Y. where apples from the Cornell University Apple Orchards were always plentiful. Are Northern Spies not grown any more, or are they not grown in New England, or was my mom unusual in her choice of a favorite apple for making pies?
Thank you for your time considering this matter.
Comment from Meg Kupiec on October 25, 2008
I also remember my Mother using Northern Spies for pie, especially at Thanksgiving. They are a later apple that stores well. They are still grown, but in talking with a friend who owns an orchard, I learned that the trees require more work as they can grow quite large. But they are still grown around Keene NH and in fact I just picked some yesterday and plan to save some for my Thanksgiving pie.
Comment from Mary Bello on October 21, 2009
We always used the 20 oz.apples for baking. I don't know the formal name for them, but they made firm tart pies, and no one in the family ever bought anything else. I'd be glad to hear other opinions on which is the best overall.
Thanks, Mary Ellen Bello
Registered users can add comments.
Registration is free, and just takes a moment.
Login or Register.