Column: Apples (and donuts) aplenty

Fall officially begins in just a few days, on Monday, Sept. 22, at 2:19 p.m. Goodbye, summer — it was fun while it lasted. As much as I will miss swimming, vacationing, the loads of sunshine and most of my cooking outside, I look forward to fall. Clambakes are coming up, with clams already available daily at The Corkscrew Saloon, pumpkin pie everything is appearing in stores — including delicious pumpkin rolls — and prime time for apples is finally here, with fruit ripening on trees all over Ohio thanks to Johnny Appleseed.

Growing up with three apple trees in my backyard and a mom who made and froze many apple pies to last us throughout the year, I have a particular fondness for the “apple a day” philosophy and never turn down a slice of pie. Recently, while working with Corkscrew Saloon and Richardson Farms on the menu for the Feast at the Farm — an outdoor dinner celebrating farm-to-table dining and raising money for the Medina Oddfellows and a 4-H group — I found my new favorite apple pie. Richardson Farms supplied me with the Gardner Apple Pie that they sell so that I could refrigerate it and test it for cutting, as we needed a perfect pie with a good presentation for the Feast at the Farm dessert.

Not only did it cut perfectly after just 12 hours in the fridge, but all who enjoyed the eight slices said it was one of the best apple pies they had eaten. That was great to hear, and I will buy these in the future. It was a little salty to hear too, since I had made these same folks pies in the past. But I must admit, these were better than my own.

Apple pie is great, but honestly, apple cider doughnuts are my favorite indulgence in the fall. They will be available straight from the source the next three Saturdays at Bauman Orchards, known for its massive orchards, fresh cider and annual fall festivals. The festivals take place Sept. 20 and 27 and Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I would arrive early to avoid a long doughnut line and for easier parking. This is one of the best free festivals happening each fall, and honestly, the best apple cider doughnuts anywhere.

They are made right before your eyes in a trailer used just for this event each year by the same folks at Bauman Orchards who have been making them for decades. Bauman Orchards has been family owned and operated since 1929, but Diana Bauman tells me they have been making these cider doughnuts the same way for 20 years. Each of the three Saturdays, they make and sell on average about 500 dozen doughnuts. They sell for just $10 a dozen (cash only), which is much less than local doughnut shops — and these come fresh from the fryer. Make sure to eat one or two right away before you move on to other activities like apple picking. I highly recommend them.

Look for an upcoming column from me on the best baked apple dumplings ever, using biscuit dough instead of pie dough. You will want to make these.

As always, I urge you to eat fresh, dine local and be happy.