Who wouldn’t be tempted by such a perfect apple? I came upon it yesterday as I was leaving the allotment. It’s growing on an very old and lovely tree that every year puts on its own magnificent Garden of Eden of show. We allotmenteers share the apples. They are crisp, juicy, sharp and sweet all at once. I don’t know the variety.
It’s important to keep tabs on the crop though. The window of opportunity for gobbling is brief since the apples don’t keep very well. I’m already thinking that they might be good in Tarte Tatin that most delicious of French classic deserts. I usually use Coxes Pippins later in the year, but since this August feels so autumnal, it’s an excellent excuse to make it sooner. I have a deep cast iron frying pan, which works a treat, both for the initial caramelizing of the apples on top of the cooker, and the final cooking with added the pastry lid inside the oven.
I should also say these apples have the most delicious fragrance too – lemon crisp. They anyway sum up August for me: the garden’s rich harvest.
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Changing Seasons: August Every month around the 20th Cardinal Guzman posts a Changing Seasons challenge. There are two variations to choose from, so follow the link for further instructions. They are easy-peasy.
Tish Farrell 
Reblogged this on Matthews' Blog.
Two things: the photo is magnificent and your narration is exquisite. I really want one of those apples! Plus, please give me a jingle when you bake your Tarte Tatin….I want to stop by!! Cheers, Lori
Lori, I’ll send out a red alert on the Tarte Tatin front 🙂 In fact I might even get around to posting my recipe. It’s slightly different to the link in the post. Meantime, thank you for your very kind words. If I could beam you up an apple I would.
Seeing apples return to the farmers markets does indeed signal that the season is changing. I love apples. I love autumn. i just don’t particularly love the season that, for now, is on the distant horizon. 🙂
Aaah, that looks reminiscent of the Spartan apples we had in our garden, a tiny little tree which used to have an abundant crop…and I used to make Tarte Tatin in a Le Creuset frying pan! These days I find it too sweet, so a treat no longer…
Thanks for the variety tip, Sue. I shall look it up. The tree is small – a perfect apple tree shape. I must post some more pix. As to Tarte Tatin – we only have it twice a year at most, because yes, it’s so-ooo sweet.
The Spartan is a very dark red, so I don’t think yours is…it also has a very white flesh.
Another suggestion is that they’re Discovery.
Do let me know when you find out!
Pretty sure they are Discovery. I forgot to mention the very distinguishing feature of their red blushed flesh when you bite into them.
Ah, that would seem to seal it, then!
A perfect apple. Garry and I were talking about apples yesterday. This area is full of orchards. We may not have much, but we have apples. More varieties than I ever imagined could exist and with all of the orchards surrounding us, you can pick your own if you like to “mix it up in the orchard.” This year, though, I just don’t know how much of a crop there will be. The gypsy moth caterpillars hit this area hard. The trees have grown new leaves, but it surely delayed the crop … and it has also been very hot and dry. I guess much will depend on the next month. We need some cold nights and cool, sunny days. I need my apple fix!
I love the idea of being to pick and mix apples. But by the sound of things, the gypsy moths may have caused too much devastation for this year’s crop. Sorry for whetting your appetites.
Mmmm. Do you know what kind of apple it is? It looks like a Discovery, but could be wrong. They are my favourite British apples. They have white and red flesh and can be a bit tarty, They only come from the UK and around September. They have a short harvest. Looking forward to seeing some in the supermarket soon. 🙂
They could well be Discovery then. Your description sounds a good fit. I will do some research.
Such a perfect image and apple, Tish. Made my mouth water. 🙂
Disco would be my guess. We are getting apples and pears from Simla here at the moment. Lovely posting.
Apples and pears from Simla – gosh what a train of images that conjures, Ian. Through time and space. And yes, you’ve nailed it. Discovery. You sound to have hit the ground running once more with your new posting to India. My head has just been there, among the underclasses of the fictional city of Kittur in Between the Assassinations by Aravinda Adiga.
Tish, that’s an exquisite shot. Although it saddens me that so many varieties of apples have been lost or almost lost, it makes me happy that many seem to be making a comeback. I’m looking forward to apple season and this one looks and sounds to be just the kind I like.
janet
I do agree with you about the sad loss of apple varieties. So many of our big orchards have been grubbed up. Old gardens and allotments are often their last sanctuary. But over in the UK the younger generations’ choice of tipple seems to be cider, so maybe we’ll be seeing new orchards 🙂
Funny that you describe August as autumnal and yet I heard today was the hottest day this year! Not for us, I hasten to add, we were a very pleasant 19 degrees but had the best sunset so far! Your apple looks and sounds delicious, I have some blackberries to accompany it if you like 🙂
Please send blackberries hotfot. I know a man who craves them. This morning is even more autumnal. FOG! But indeed a fantastic sunset over the Edge last night.
Deliciously glowing!
That’s a beautiful specimen. I’ve begun to notice the tang of apples in the air during my walks. The sign that autumn is drawing near.
Yes, it’s coming sooner than expected 🙂
this is a perfect apple!