One of our region’s most beloved agricultural products is the wonderful, humble apple. Thanks to our county’s fertile soil and temperate climate, orchards here produce a variety of apples perfect for eating, baking, and cider-making. With a few hundred years of apple-growing history under our belt, Albemarle is the ideal place to experience the incredible and complex flavors of Virginia’s best apples.
Some of the most popular types grown here include the crisp and tangy Granny Smith, the sweet and aromatic Fuji, and the versatile Gala. The county also cultivates heirloom varieties, like the rich and flavorful Virginia Winesap. During the fall harvest, locals and visitors flock to orchards to pick their own apples, enjoy stunning views of the mountains, and sample fresh apple cider and homemade apple pies. But thanks to their amazing storage ability, apples in Albemarle County are a year-round treat, whether you’re enjoying them fresh, in cider, or in delicious homemade recipes.
RECIPE
Albemarle County Apple Crisp
A simple and comforting recipe, perfect for showcasing the best apples our region has to offer.
Ingredients:
- 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch baking dish.
- Place the peeled and sliced apples into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Add the butter cubes to the dry mixture and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples in the baking dish.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.