I Love You a Bushel and a Peck

I have no idea what we were thinking.  Or maybe we weren't thinking at all.  On Sunday, after Kate was done playing tennis, we decided to go over to Soergel Orchards.  It's five minutes from tennis, and I go all the time but usually during the week.

Fall is prime time at Soergel.  During October and through to Thanksgiving, they throw this huge Fall Festival, complete with pumpkins and gourds aplenty, and zillions of apples.  And that's not all.  There's face painting for the kids as well as hay rides and a bouncy house.  To be clear, it's an absolute mob scene, especially on weekends.

Everyone and their uncle schleps out to Soergel to buy their pumpkins and their apples.  This apparently includes Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who brought Suri out a week or two ago.  (This was huge news at Soergel's.  It's not everyday that a celebrity brings his kid to have her face painted...)

But enough about TomKat.  After waiting forever to even get into the parking lot, we finally parked and waded our way through the throngs of humanity so Kate could get her roasted corn on the cob.  We were lucky enough to score a shopping cart so I felt obligated to stock up on my autumn decorations -- pumpkins, gourds -- and to buy enough apples to last me until the next time I feel compelled to brave the crowds.

I came home with the most delicious Honey Crisp apples, truly the grand daddy of all apples as far as I'm concerned, and some Winesaps, which I don't like as much, but Ted loves them.  I have now broken out the cookbooks and am planning to make apple butter this week.  Stay tuned for the recipe and details.   I am also planning to make baked apples, something I've never done before.  Check back for details.

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, take a trip to Soergel.  It's not nearly as crowded during the week, although you'll have to forgo having your face painted.  The good news is that you'll be able to buy the best apples you've ever eaten.

Soergel Orchards 

2573 Brandt School Road
Wexford, PA 15090
724-935-1743