Adam's Apples

Making the scene at the Arlington, Massachusetts, farmers market yesterday.  ¶  Those are Macouns lurking in the back, but this is the week for the Chestnut Crab .  ¶  It's about a week too early for marvelous Macoun. And those Chestnuts are really good.

There is not really anything new to say about the wonderful Chestnut Crabapple that I have not said before. I just grabbed this one at farmer's market yesterday because it is so darned pretty.

It's McIntosh week here at Adam's Apples.

Do I cook with these? a woman asked me at Farmers Market. I told her they were great eating apples, but I don't think she believed me. Misled by the size and by the myth of sour crabs.

With Gingergold towering behind, diminutive Wickson (left front) and Chestnut crabs do-si-do in early September. (Alas, wonderful Wickson was harvested much too early.)

In the left corner, ladies and gentlemen, a towering figure in the world of fruit, an apple variety of near-legendary proportion, sought-after, elusive, and prized. And in the opposing corner...come again? The idea for this comparison came to me at first bite of the Chestnut Crabapple and eventually became irresistible. It's not as ridiculous as you might think! though Cox's is all I have said and more.

"Ugly, but sweet," said the sign for these little gems at Farmers market. Ugly? I beg to differ. These small ribbed apples have an orange red blush over yellow, with light green lenticels. My three tasting samples are each different. One is mostly blush, and one is mostly russet (with little blush). Today's photo showcases the one with some of everything. "Striking" I would say. "Not airbrushed barbie-doll perfect," I grant you. But ugly? Click here (or on the photo) for the close up and say that.