September marks the arrival of autumn and the beginning of apple abundance. We often wonder where to go and which varieties to choose. Here are some ideas and places to explore this beautiful month of September.
Apple Picking
Picking your own apples is a long-standing tradition for many. Numerous producers offer a variety of apples as well as activities to please everyone. We suggest a few local orchards located near our greenhouses.
- Portneuf Region: Visit the Verger du Domaine Hébert.
- South Shore of Montreal: Discover Petch Orchards.
- North Shore of Montreal: St-Joseph-du-Lac and the beautiful town of Oka are brimming with orchards at every corner. To find their addresses, visit the Pommes Qualité Québec website.
Seasonal Recipe Ideas
After a day at the orchard, we often find ourselves with bags full of apples and no idea what to do with them. To avoid waste, here are a few recipe ideas that differ from the usual classics:
Storage Tips
Each apple variety has its own specific qualities: McIntosh is ideal for cooking, while Cortland is perfect for salads.
To keep your apples at their best, store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, either loose or in their original bag. This preserves their flavor and firmness, preventing them from becoming "mealy." At room temperature, they soften ten times faster!
Finally, always wash your fruits and vegetables under running water before consuming them, but avoid rinsing them before storing, as this accelerates their deterioration.