It's been a great year in the orchards here at Struan Farm: plums, peaches, nectarines, blackcurrants, nashi, crabapples, some quince (finally), some hazelnuts (finally), walnuts, feijoas, figs (just happening), and of course apples. Citrus happens at another time of the year, I haven't forgotten about them.
This is my final harvest this season from our "Monty's Surprise" apple tree. John was up north for meetings a few days this week, so I had time to get out my extendable fruit picker to finish picking apples off the upper reaches of the tree, we've been plucking them off the lower branches for almost two months now. Monty's Surprise is a NZ variety, the skin of which has been established by overseas researchers to have anti-cancer benefits. The apples are also HUGE. The bigger ones above weighed over 500 grams (1.1 lbs.), with the largest from this picking 572 grams! (1.26 lbs.).
I've decided to take a break before making two more batches of "membrillo" (quince paste) to make apple crumbles for the freezer. I use Annabel Langbein's crumble topping recipe, which makes heaps and can be frozen for later use if you have leftovers. The only problem with apples this large is that it only takes two to make one crumble, so I have a feeling some of these apples may make their way to the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand, where they fly off the shelf.
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