So it’s traditional this time of year to enjoy harvest foods like apples. Yum. And honey. Double yum.

A non-Jewish friend recently asked me, in a very respectful way, if it was alright to refer to a particular kind of apple cake as “Jewish Apple Cake.” I think she was afraid of being politically incorrect. I laughed and said, “Why, of course! That’s what it’s called.” I wish I could give you the reason (I’ll check the sacred books) but it’s just traditional that this cake is called so.

So here’s my mother’s recipe for Jewish Apple Cake. I don’t know where she got it, but I can vouch that it’s the real thing. Enjoy and Happy New Year.

Jewish Apple Cake

INGREDIENTS

5  – 6 apples
2 tsp cinnamon
5 Tbsp and then 2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup orange juice
3 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

HOW TO

1. Peel and cut the apples in square chunks about the size of a thimble. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over the apples, and mix in. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Into a large mixing bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients (sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, orange juice, flour, baking powder and salt) and mix the batter well.
4. Pour half the batter into a greased tube pan. Spread half the apples over the batter. Cover with the remaining batter and then apples.
5. Bake for 1 1/2 hours until a toothpick or similar instrument comes clean.

Lots of fun things this weekend but a few caught my eye in particular. In the upper part of the county, stop on by the Firehouse Breakfast in Riegelsville on Sunday. This is a monthly breakfast that has been going on for over twenty years. They know what they’re doing. Almost a full breakfast menu, including pancakes, eggs (any way you want them), breakfast meats, coffee, juice and more. See our previous post for more details, Serving up breakfast in Riegelsville.

Or on Saturday, consider a drive to the Holland Township Farmers’ Market, the newest market in the bi-state area, just across the river in Milford, New Jersey. This Saturday, August 20 will be their last market for the season. Looking forward to seeing you next year too!

The first apples of the season have started to appear! Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury now has Ginger Gold. Solebury Orchards, also in Solebury, reports their first apples are available, as does The Market at Del Val by Shady Brook. See Solebury Orchards’ Apple chart to find out when your favorite apple variety will be available. Crunch!

To market, to market. What can you expect to find at local farmers’ markets this week? For produce: Apples, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries (last of the season!), cabbage (green and purple), cantaloupe, carrots, celery, Swiss chard, collards, sweet corn, cucumbers (salad and pickle), edamame beans, eggplant, fennel, field peas, fresh cut herbs, garlic, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions (purple and fresh), peaches, pears, peppers (hot and sweet), potatoes, radishes, raspberries, scallions, summer squash, tomatoes (all kinds), watermelon and zucchini. In addition, many markets have locally raised meats, cheese, baked goods and bread, local honey and prepared foods, as well as preserves and local artisanal goods like wool, soap and ceramics. Support your local farms especially this time of year when produce is gorgeous and well-priced. Get your nutrition local!

Save the date! oWowCow Creamery will be hosting a fundraiser for the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance at its new Wrightstown location on Wednesday, August 31st from 6 pm to 9 pm. All you’ve got to do is show up and buy some delicious ice cream. Easy, huh? John Fezzuoglio, owner and ice cream maker extraordinaire, will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Foodshed Alliance. The store is in Carousel Village at 591 Durham Road (Route 413) in Wrightstown, just a few miles north of Newtown. See you there!

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a lovely weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, August 19:

• 63rd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 11 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [1-7 pm]
• Summer BBQ @ Lumberville General Store, Lumberville [3 - 7 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market, Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [4-8 pm]
• Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
• Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
• Lobster Bake at the Vineyard @ Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes, NJ [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series @ The Market at DelVal, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Friday Night Fireworks Express – New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [6:15 - 10:30 pm]
• Wine Tasting for Singles @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [7 - 9 pm]
• Summer Wine & Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Belgian-Style Brews with Beer Blogger Giuseppe Fusco @ Stockton Inn, Stockton, NJ [7:30 - 10:30 pm]
• Summer Fireworks in New Hope/Lambertville – New Hope, PA & Lambertville, NJ [9:30 – 10:30 pm]

Saturday, August 20:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am-12 pm]
• Perkasie Farmers’ Market, Perkasie [8 am - 12 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am-1 pm]
• Holland Township Farmers’ Market, Milford, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am-4 pm]
• 63rd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 11 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12-6 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3-7 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing @ New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
• Evening Star Dinner Train @ New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [7 - 9 pm]

Sunday, August 21:

• Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Company, Riegelsville [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am-1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am-4 pm]
• 63rd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 5 pm]
• Sunday Brunch Train @ New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, New Hope [10:15 - 11:30 am]
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [2 - 4 pm]
• Music @ Villa Milagro Vineyards, Finesville, NJ [2 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing @ New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Earth Center Coffee House, Tyler State Park , Richboro [6 - 9 pm]

Monday, August 22:

• Mediterranean Style @ Carlow Cookery, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]
• Soupcon Salon by Kindle Cafe @ Manon, Lambertville, NJ [7 - 9:15 pm]

Tuesday, August 23:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]

Wednesday, August 24:

• Pierogy Wednesdays @ St. Anne Ukrainian, Warrington [9 am - 12 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Global Dinner @ The Cafe at Rosemont, Rosemont, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Chef Eben Copple’s Grilling Demo @ Yardley Inn, Yardley [7 - 9 pm]
• Flavors of Northern Italy @ Carlow Cookery, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]

Thursday, August 25:

• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [2:30-6:30 pm]
• Uncle Dave’s 94 cents Ice Cream Cones @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [3 - 9 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Lower Makefield [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, New Hope [5 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.

Related posts:

1. The holidays come to Bucks County
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

Apples? If you missed our post earlier this week, check out Apple Sightings for where you can buy and pick a wide variety of apples. Or go to one of the apple festivals this weekend – one at The Market at Del Val College  in Doylestown or another one at Terhune Orchards in nearby Princeton.

Beer anyone? How about the Beer Festival at McCoole’s in Quakertown, or the Rockin’ Brewfest in Trenton, both on Saturday? Next weekend is the Newtown Blues and Brews (Sept 25), not to be confused with the Newtown BrewFest, which is happening on October 16th. Whew.

Or…wine anyone? It’s also harvest time for grapes! Keep an eye on the calendar over the next month for some great harvest and wine releases at area wineries, like the Cabernet Savignon Wine Release at Alba Vineyard, in Milford, this Saturday, or the Harvest Bootcamp at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes next weekend. Alba Vineyard will also be celebrating their Grand Harvest Festival next weekend, and Crossing Vineyards will host their annual Harvest Festival the weekend of October 9th and 10th.

Eating out in the field. There are also several farm-to-table dinners this weekend that may still have tickets available. Check out our post from last week, September farm to table dinners, listing all the events with contact information.

Of course, our local farmers’ markets are still in full swing with lots of veggies, meat, cheese, baked goods, preserves and honey, to mention just a few delicacies. Grab the last of tomatoes, corn and even some peaches here and there.

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a crisp, delicious weekend. Connect with Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter too!

Friday, September 17:
Forecast – Sunny, 79°

• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [11 am - 7 pm]
• Warrington Farmers’ Market @ Valley Square, Warrington [3 - 6 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Friday Happy Hour @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Summer Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Barbara Trent @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [7 - 11 pm]
• Bob Egan @ Bowman’s Tavern, New Hope [8 pm-12 am]

Saturday, September 18:
Forecast – Sunny, 80°

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am - 12 pm]
• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market, Telford [8:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 3 pm]
• Apple Day Festival @ Terhune Orchards, Princeton, NJ [10 - 5 pm]
• Cabernet Savignon Wine Release @ Alba Vineyard, Milford, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Beer Festival @ McCoole’s, Quakertown [12 - 9 pm]
• Rockin’ Brewfest, Trenton, NJ [12 - 9 pm]
• Music Under the Arbor @ Alba Vineyards, Milford, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Kindle Supper Club + Music, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 9 pm]
• Evening Star Dinner Trains, New Hope [7 - 9 pm]

Sunday, September 19:
Forecast – Sunny, 79°

• Breakfast Buffet @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., Plumsteadville [7 am - 12 pm]
• Breakfast @ Perkasie Fire Co., Perkasie [7:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Co., Riegelsville [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am - 3 pm]
• Apple Festival @ The Market at Del Val College, Doylestown [11 am - 4 pm]
• Cabernet Savignon Wine Release @ Alba Vineyard, Milford, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration, Morrisville [1 - 4 pm]
• Music Under the Arbor @ Alba Vineyards, Milford, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [2 - 5 pm]
• Dinners on the Farm @ Manoff Market Gardens, Solebury [3 - 7 pm]
• Farm to Table Dinner for Acme Screening Room, Lambertville, NJ [4 - 7:30 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Farm to Table Dinner @ None Such Farm, Buckingham [5 - 9:30 pm]

Monday, September 20:

• Wine 101 – Class #2 – Types of Wine, Washington Crossing [6:30 - 8:30 pm]

Tuesday, September 21:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]

Wednesday, September 22:

• American Legion Meals on Wednesdays, Quakertown [11:30 am - 9 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Healthy Cooking 101 5-part Series with Chef Vincent Peterson, New Hope [6:30 - 8:30 pm]

Thursday, September 23:

• Capital City Market, Trenton, NJ [11 am - 2 pm]
• Healthier Hearts Farmers’ Market, Trenton, NJ [12:30 - 5 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Yardley [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [3:30 - 7 pm]
• Springtown Farmers’ Market, Springtown [4 - 7 pm]
• Lobster Night @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [6 - 10 pm]
• Pairing Wine & Cheese @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [7 - 9 pm]

Amy Manoff suggests keeping the apples as cold as possible without freezing. Manoff’s has 3 varieties left for sale – Fuji, Pink Lady and Gold Rush – and they are all good “keepers,” says Amy. Solebury Orchards has Keepsake (the parent variety to Honey Crisp), Fuji, Goldrush, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Braeburn Apples for sale.

See their web sites for store hours. And check out Amy Manoff’s blog about life on the farm. Nice pictures and a feel for what the seasons bring.

Related posts:

1. Bucks County apples: Juicy, crunchy and sweet
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

But there is so much fun stuff going on this weekend that I simply had to write about it. I only wish we were well enough to go to some of the events! And the weather promises to be sunny and cool. Details on any of these events can be found at our online calendar, Food Events in Bucks County.

Vegetarian delight. What are you doing tonight? Check out the Kindle Café’s Supper Club. Delaware Valley newcomer Chef/Owner Vincent Peterson has started a weekly gourmet vegetarian dinner in Lambertville every Friday night at Rojo’s Roastery. We haven’t gotten there yet but the menus look delicious. Using local produce and products for a prix fixe $25 dinner, BYOB.

Apples, apples, apples.  There are two festivals celebrating apples this weekend in Bucks County. The Riegelsville Community Fire Company — the same folks who put on such a great breakfast once a month — will be hosting the Apple Fest in Riegelsville on Saturday, November 7th from 10 am to 3 pm. Peddler’s Village in Lahaska also has a fun weekend planned for their 38th Annual Apple Festival, featuring local apple orchards, antique cider press demonstrations, authentic apple butter production, a variety of apple treats from apple dumplings to apple fritters, and apple pie eating contests. Festivities begin at 10 am and go until 6 pm.

What’s for breakfast…and dinner? From Hartsville (Warminster), to Plumsteadville, to Upper Black Eddy and Silverdale, you’ve got your choice of hot breakfasts at various firehouses and a grange this weekend. Yum. And for dinner, there’s a host (no pun intended) of church suppers in Chalfont, Pleasant Valley and Warrington. See our calendar for details.

Farmers markets still open! Doylestown Farmers’ Market and Wrightstown Farmers’ Market are still going on Saturday mornings through the weekend before Thanksgiving, as is the New Hope Farmers’ Market on Thursday afternoons up until November 19th. Also, the Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market in Hellertown stays open on Sundays through November 22nd. Stock up on vegetables for the winter and for your Thanksgiving meal. Also coming…an indoor farmers’ market in Stockton, set to open Thanksgiving weekend. Stay tuned for more details.

Related posts:

1. A winter weekend in Bucks
2. Cool Jazz, Strawberries and Even a Pig Roast
3. Reprise: Rain, Rain Go Away…In Time For The Weekend

Autumn means more than pumpkins at Bucks County farms and farm markets; it also means a parade of apples that change weekly, each with its own personality and flavor.

With enticing names such as Zestar, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Macoun, Mutsu, Keepsake, Gala, Fuji, Jonagold, Jonathan, Empire, McIntosh, Winesap, Stayman, Cameo, Sun Crisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Gold Rush and Granny Smith, the season marches forward.

At local farms you can find varieties with more flavor and crunch than most sold in supermarkets, with the added environmental bonus that no fossil fuels were used to bring them here to Bucks. Not only are they better for eating and are fresher, but they make terrific pies, cakes, cobblers, crisps and applesauce because they have so much flavor and texture.

Amy and Gary Manoff, who own Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury, are among the local farmers enjoying a bountiful apple crop this season. Partly because of the rain, the crop is large, and the apples especially juicy.

With pie season upon us, Amy finds herself reaching for sweet Jonagolds, with a few tart apples thrown in give her pie added flavor. For baking whole apples with a little butter, sugar and cinnamon, she recommends tart Staymans, an all-round great baking apple. For those who like a sweeter taste, she suggest Jonagolds, which also hold their shape well in the oven when baked whole.

For sauces she likes to start with Golden Delicious, a sweet apple, and add in some Mutsu, Winesap, Keepsake or Fuji. “That way you don’t have to add sugar,” she said. Using cider in place of water – the Manoffs began pressing their own this week – gives applesauce more flavor and depth.

No matter what you are making, you can use any variety apple you like to eat, for baking or sauce, she said. Some people like to make their pies out of Galas, traditionally a sweet eating apple, she said, which is fine if that’s what they like.

Bucks County has plenty of farms and farm markets that carry freshly harvested apples including Bechdolt’s Orchards in Hellertown, Fairview Farm in Pineville, Penn Vermont Fruit Farm in Bedminster, Solebury Orchards in Solebury, Solly’s Farm Market in Ivyland, Styer Orchards in Langhorne, Tabora Farms in Chalfont and Tall Pines Farm in Rushland.

Manoff Market Gardens
3157 Comfort Road
Solebury, Pa., 18963
215-297-8220

Baked Apples
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
4 Stayman or Jonagold apples
½ cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. cinnamon (or spice of your choice)

HOW TO

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Core apple without removing bottom. Remove seeds and stem but don’t cut all the way through. Stuff each apple with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter. Place in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15-30 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize and apples are tender. Larger apples may take longer.

Apple Crisp
Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS
3 pounds local apples (mostly tart and a few sweet)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

HOW TO

1. Peel, core and chop the apples; toss in a bowl with lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; add to the apples and toss to combine.
2. In another bowl combine flour, sugar and oats. Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.
3. Butter a 9-inch square baking dish. Spread apple mixture in bottom of baking dish then sprinkle with flour mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream or cream.

Related posts:

1. Tidbit: Storing apples for winter
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

Manoff's apples - just in!

Mark and I had the pleasure of being at last night’s potluck and farm tour at Manoff Market Gardens, sponsored by the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance. What a perfect night. As Gary and Amy Manoff walked us through their orchards, the sunset painted the sky and the cool air surrounded us. Be sure to stop by Manoff’s for some peaches and their beautiful and varied apples have started coming in.

Labor Day Weekend Eats…where shall we start? There’s something for everyone.

First off, make sure to stop by your local farm stand or farmers’ market for the cookout. The weekend weather looks bee-u-tee-full. Veggies and fruit that is fresh and wonderful right now – corn, tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), eggplants, onions, and get some peaches before they’re all gone. Linden Hill has their market on Friday afternoons; Doylestown and Wrightstown are Saturday mornings. Catch Springtown’s market on Wednesday afternoons, and Lower Makefield and New Hope on Thursday afternoons (details on our calendar).

The 44th Annual Polish-American Festival takes place all weekend at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on Ferry Road in Doylestown. Lots of good lip-smacking Polish food – pierogi, potato placki, grilled kielbasa, golabki, Polish ice, Polish fries and then all the normal fun fair food. Smacznego! (Polish for “Bon Appetit”)

Frenchtown (over on the other side of the river, in Nu Joisey) is hosting their annual RiverFest on Saturday and Sunday. The word is food is going to be great, focusing on fresh, local food and restaurants. Just the way we like it!

Get details on any of these events at our Food Events in Bucks County calendar. Have a safe and sweet weekend.

Related posts:

1. Bucks Food Calendar: September 2, 2010
2. Bucks County apples: Juicy, crunchy and sweet
3. Bucks Food Calendar: August 19, 2011