Hustle, bustle, bust

The last market of the year bustles in Arlington, Massachusetts, earlier today. ¶ 

It still feels like Peak Apple, but winter is creeping closer. All the suburban farmers markets end this week, and there were fewer apple choices on offer at mine, compared to the week before.

Those choices were nonetheless robust: "only" 22 different varieties from three orchards, as follows:

• Ambrosia
• Blushing Golden
• Braeburn
• Brock
• Cameo
• Cortland
• Empire
• Evercrisp
• Fuji
• Gala
• Golden Delicious
• Granny Smith
• Honeycrisp
• Jonagold
• King Luscious
• Macoun
• McIntosh
• Melrouge
• Mutsu
• Pink Lady 
• Shamrock
• Stayman

Not too shabby! And while the season may be showing its age, Braeburn and Stayman Winesap joined us for the first time.

However, that list may not be completely reliable: as I stood before the bins in my second photographs, a fellow was going around changing the tags describing what was there. (He is partially shown using his phone to check for instructions.)

"Swiss Gourmet" in the photo above had been "Spencer" and ultimately became "King Luscious." I am not sure that Jonagold (which had been "Elstar") was identified correctly either.

The takeaway I advise, however, is this: Winter is coming, and if you love apples (and have a mud room or a place in your fridge) start stocking up on keepers to eat over the next few months.

Arlington's market will return in June. The urban farmers markets carry on until the day before the American Thanksgiving.

Arlington, Massachusetts, farmers market earlier today.