go eat

go eat ! RECIPE SUBMITTED BY NATHAN BLAIS

Apple Cake

5 Red Delicious apples, peeled, cored 3 Tbsp cinnamon 3 cups of unbleached or cake flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1Tbsp baking powder 4 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup apple cider 1/4 cup walnuts 2 tsp vanilla

FOR CRUMBLE 1/2 cup flour 1/4 cup oats 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tbsp cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350F on convection.

Start by peeling and coring your apples, cut into slices. Put into a bowl and mix one tablespoon of your cinnamon and cover while you make your batter. Combine your dry ingredients and whisk until fully combined. Then start to incorporate your wet ingredients, whisk until you have a smooth cake batter and then fold in your apples. In a greased cake pan or bundt pan pour in your mixture and top with the crumble. Bake for an 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a tooth pic comes out mostly clean. Enjoy warm!

NATHAN BLAIS I’m a photographer from Springfield. I combined my love for cooking and photography and turned it into a career. Check out my instagram @nateblais!

7 places for apple and pumpkin picking

‘Tis the season for fresh, crisp apples and perfect pumpkins. Here’s our list of local apple orchards and pumpkin patches. As pumpkin and apple picking is dependent on the weather, we suggest calling each farm before visiting to ensure they’re open.

FERN VALLEY FARMS LLC

758 MAIN STREET, WILBRAHAM, MA FACEBOOK.COM/FERNVALLEYHAY

Fern Valley Farms grows many varieties of apples with a great view of the Pioneer Valley. Enter via 758 Main Street and drive up the road to the left.

ECHO HILL ORCHARDS WINERY & DISTILLERY

101 WILBRAHAM ROAD, MONSON, MA ECHOHILLORCHARDS.COM

Pick-your-own is cash only (ATM on site) and is offered Wednesdays - Fridays, 12-5 p.m. All pick-your-own is walk out on the farm, there are no tractors rides this season. Customers are welcome to bring their own wagons.

IRISH BEND ORCHARD

90 PIONEER HEIGHTS RD, SOMERS, CT IRISHBENDORCHARD.COM

Apple varieties include: Zestar, McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Empire, Early Fuji, Gala, Smokehouse, and Cameo. Free hayrides to their pumpkin patch. All pumpkins from the patch are $5 each. Cash and credit cards accepted. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

BASHISTA ORCHARDS & CIDER MILL

160 EAST STREET, SOUTHAMPTON, MA GOTCIDER.NET

Since 1926! in addition to apple picking, they sell cider donuts, apple cider, baked goods, local vegetables in season, country gifts, fresh locally produced maple syrup and maple candy, raw honey, and cider vinegar. October apple varieties include Empire, Fuji, Jonafree, Jonagold, and Mutsu.

PARK HILL ORCHARD

82 PARK HILL ROAD, EASTHAMPTON, MA PARKHILLORCHARD.COM/PYO HOME OF THE ORIGINAL CIDER SLUSHIE

Park Hill Orchard is home to the area’s well-known “Art in the Orchard”, a walking sculpture trail which runs through November 28. The sculpture show is free and open during daylight hours and is the perfect opportunity for some fun photos. Pick-yourown hours are from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., no reservations necessary.

EASY PICKIN’S ORCHARD

46 BAILEY ROAD, ENFIELD, CT EASYPICKINSORCHARD.COM

Open since 1992, Easy Pickin’s grows over a dozen different varieties of apples. Visit their website for indepth descriptions of each type of apple. Cash/check preferred, credit/debit cards also accepted.

FOSTER FAMILY FARM

90 FOSTER STREET, SOUTH WINDSOR, CT FOSTERFARM.COM

Solve their corn maze, enjoy a leisurely hayride, pick a pumpkin, and meet some friendly farm animals during your visit.