{Editor’s Note: We’re happy to introduce a new Lynchburg Times feature, Heirloom Eating, where we combine information about what’s in season at local farmer’s markets and buy-local retailers with a recipe from one of our readers.}
Fresh-off-the-tree apples are a rite of fall in South. Small local communities across the state devote entire festivals to the juicy, sweet fruit. And there’s just something special about bringing home a bushel, and making memories and something tasty with family and friends.
Seasonal foods are fresher, tastier, and more nutritious than those picked early to be shipped in. Plus, buying from local farmers market and locally-grown retailers helps farmers and keeps local dollars in small, rural communities.
When we asked readers to share their favorite apple recipes, they didn’t disappoint. We especially liked the Apple Dumpling recipe shared by local, Cindy Barnett (with a little nudging from her daughter-in-law, Michelle Barnett).
Cindy Barnett’s Apple Dumplings
Ingredients: Two large Granny Smith apples (peeled and cored), two 10 ounce cans of refrigerated crescent roll dough, one cup of butter, one and one half cups of sugar, one teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 12 ounces of Mountain Dew
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Cut each apple into eight wedges and set aside. Then separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in a triangle of dough, and place into baking dish. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in sugar and cinnamon. Pour mixture over the apple dumplings and then pour the Mountain Dew over the entire dish. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown.
Barnett says the recipe is both a family favorite and beloved by her church family. She often takes it to both family gatherings and fellowship meals.
“I’ve also shared it with a few friends and get special requests from my family to make it,” she said.
Local farmers markets will continue through October. In Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, you can find one almost every day of the week.
TUESDAY: Franklin County Farmers Market at 651 Dinah Shore Boulevard in Winchester beginning at 7 a.m. until sold out. (This market also happens on Thursdays and Saturdays.)
WEDNESDAY: Tullahoma Farmers Market at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 705 Wilson Avenue from 6 a.m. until noon.
THURSDAY: Bedford County Farmers Market on the Celebration grounds in Shelbyville beginning at 2:30 p.m. until vendors are sold out.
FRIDAY: Lynchburg Farmers Market in Wiseman Park from 2 to 5 p.m.
SATURDAY: Coffee County Farmers Market on Fort Street in Manchester behind the Coffee County Farm Bureau from 6:15 a.m. until noon.
OPEN DAILY: Fayetteville Farmers Market located at 421 Lincoln Avenue South in Fayetteville at 6 a.m. each day.
Several pick-your-own-orchards are also open in September and October including Bain’s Orchard in Hillsboro and Scott’s Orchard in Hazel Green, Alabama.•
If you have a recipe that includes fresh, locally-grown ingredients that you’d like to share, email it to [email protected].