Prime time

McIntosh (L) and Chestnut Crabapple share center stage during the second week of pomological fall. ¶ 

The Mac is here: the harvest is in full gear. ¶ 

Other apples at Arlington's farmers market today: Chestnut Crab, Gala, Gingergold, Honeycrisp, Macoun (too early I wager), Swiss Gourmet, and Zestar. ¶ 

And there's more.

But first let us hail the king of autumn! McIntosh, deep red with a faint waxy bloom. 

He is sweet, he is tart, he is luscious and vinous and berry-tinged, and he is here.

People like what they like, but I have to say that anyone who does not appreciate this iconic New England fruit, even at arms length while preferring something else, is missing something vital

Meanwhile

I visited a different market in nearby Lexington and picked up a couple of Mollie's Delicious.

In addition to many of the seasonal varieties found in Arlington and elsewhere, vendors in Lexington also offered Sansa and Paula Red.

A farmer selling produce under a canopy at the outdoor market in Lexington, Massachusetts, on September 9.

I hadn't been to Lexington yet this year, which is a sad omission as they have a new apple vendor who (like their other vendor) does not come to Arlington or Belmont.

To round things out, Hutchins Farm, in Concord, is selling organic Priscilla, Crimson Crisp, and Pixie Crunch in addition to Gala, Honeycrisp, and Mac. 

Click any photo for a closer look

Hutchins also has the so-called "Early Jonagold," their name for a variety that today is marketed as Autumn Crisp.

I've been watching the trees at Hutchins this spring and summer. Here is the latest on that:

Hutchins has many more trees, of course, but it looks as though most, though not all, of the apples that grew on these are in those bins...or people's stomachs!

Carpe pomum

If anyone is counting, I've described a menu of 14 different kinds of fresh local apples, all within a dozen miles of my house.

And there are sure to be other varieties out there, with more every day.

Happy harvest, get out and get some apples!