{"id":2357,"date":"2014-10-15T10:24:47","date_gmt":"2014-10-15T14:24:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hnetalk.com\/Member\/?p=2357"},"modified":"2014-10-15T10:24:47","modified_gmt":"2014-10-15T14:24:47","slug":"apple-picking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hnetalk.com\/member\/apple-picking\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Picking"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HNE_DrLaurie_728X90\"\"boy_apples\"<\/a>I love apple picking more than anyone in my family – every year we chose a beautiful fall weekend to head to the Vermont mountain orchards to pick apples.\u00a0 I find it to be a\u00a0great family bonding activity, plus we make apple crisps and applesauce later.<\/p>\n

You know the saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are a wonderful healthy snack.\u00a0 A medium sized apple contains no fat or sodium, is an excellent source of dietary fiber and has been shown to lower cholesterol.\u00a0 My sister, who is diabetic, eats 3 apples a day!<\/p>\n

MassLive.com<\/a> provided the following list of 5 of the best places to pick apples in Western Mass:<\/p>\n

Echo Hill Orchards and Winery in Monson<\/strong>. They are open seven days a week (weather and crop permitting) through the end of October. On weekends a tractor will pull you to the orchard in style, but during the week you will have to hoof it.<\/p>\n

They can be reached by phone at (413) 267-3303 or at their website here<\/strong><\/a> . Echo Hill is located at 101 Wilbraham Rd. in Monson.<\/p>\n

Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown<\/strong>. A UMass Amherst orchard and farmstand for research and education, Cold Spring Orchard is open 7 days a week from 11am-4pm. With over 100 varieties growing on the property, a trip to their website<\/strong><\/a> can tell you what is available for pick-your-own the week you want to go.<\/p>\n

Their phone number is 413-323-6647. Cold Spring is located at 391 Sabin St. in Belchertown.<\/p>\n

Outlook Farm in Westhampton<\/strong>. Open every day through the end of October, Outlook Farm offers one size bag for picking, a half bushel for $25.<\/p>\n

A visit to their website<\/strong><\/a> will tell you about their hayrides and other special weekend programs, or call them at (413) 529-9388. Outlook Farm can be found at 136 Main Rd. (Rte. 66) in Westhampton.<\/p>\n

Kosinski Farms in Westfield<\/strong>. Picking is only available on Saturday at Kosinski Farms. Customers are shuttled by tractor from the main store to the nearby orchard where 19 varieties of apples are growing.
\nLike other farms mentioned here, Kosinski Farms<\/strong><\/a> also offers a full complement of fruits and pumpkins, baked goods and gourds.<\/p>\n

Phone the farm at (413) 572-4344 or visit at 420 Russellville Rd., Westfield.<\/p>\n

Roberts’ Hillside Orchard in Granville<\/strong>. Open for picking on Saturdays and Sundays from 9-6, Roberts’ Hillside Orchard was founded in 1920, with 100 acres run by Doug and Nancy Roberts.<\/p>\n

You can visit their facebook page here<\/strong><\/a> or give them a call at (413) 357-6690. They are located at 275 South Lane in Granville.<\/p>\n

For full article, click here<\/a>…<\/p>\n

Cut up fresh or baked apples make a great desert all by themselves.\u00a0 However,\u00a0I like to make a\u00a0hot apple crisp with the apples that end up a little bruised \u2013 here is one of my favorite recipes:<\/p>\n

This\u00a0is what you will need:<\/p>\n