Autumn Produce

Colorado is a hotbed of produce production and autumn is that time of year when farm stands and orchards are bursting at the seams with apples, corn, pumpkins, peaches and, of course, the world famous Pueblo Chiles (sorry New Mexico) among others. And not only does a lot of this produce make it on to menus

across the state and the country, it is also turned into delicious drinks and pungent pickles and preserves So whether you want to pick your own from an orchard, shop at a farm stand or farmers’ market or just attend a festival that celebrates the bounty of harvest, read on to see what you can expect this fall from the land.

CHILIS

An enduring image of fall in Colorado is barrel roasters blistering chilis and turning them into that staple of Southwestern cooking. Hatch chilis are good but Colorado’s Pueblo chilis are king of the capsicum.

CORN

There is no debate as far as we are concerned that Olathe corn is as good as it gets. Available statewide for a pittance, we love ours simply cooked and slathered in butter.

APPLES

Whether you like apple pies, cider or just the sensation of biting into a crisp apple, Colorado apples are available in all of those forms and more. Big B’s Delicious Orchards in Hotchkiss is one of the best places to get your apple fix, but it isn’t the only one.

POTATOES

A food staple in the US, Colorado’s San Luis Valley is the second largest fresh potato growing region in the country and the 150 families that grow there produce a staggering amount of potatoes.

PUMPKINS

When it comes to fall produce, there is nothing more quintessentially autumn than the pumpkin. Whether you’re eating pumpkin soup, drinking a pumpkin spiced latte, running around in a pumpkin patch or carving one into a jack-o’-lantern, pumpkins ARE fall.

HONEY

Fall is when honey can be harvested one last time. Pots of this food of the gods are then either stored or turned into all kinds of delicious products like mead and Colorado honey whiskey.

EVENTS

CEDAREDGE APPLEFEST CEDAREDGE OCT. 3–6, 2019

A fall tradition since 1977, more than 20,000 fruit lovers pack into tiny Cedaredge in Delta County each year to sink their teeth into delicious locallygrown apples.

CARBONDALE POTATO DAY PARADE & CELEBRATION, CARBONDALE OCT. 5, 2019

This 110-year-old festival is the longestrunning community event in Carbondale, which once rivaled Idaho in potato growing. The celebration includes a cookout, games and entertainment.

COLORADO HARD CIDER FESTIVAL HOTCHKISS OCT. 26, 2019

This event presents the opportunity to sip creations from a dozen cideries from Colorado and beyond at Big B’s Delicious Orchards, a picturesque orchard in the North Fork Valley.

YOU PICK

Fruit Basket Orchards Grand Junction Until mid-November 970 434 3063

Uncle Johnny’s U-Pick Farm, Cedaredge Blackberries, grapes, peaches, plums, tomatoes and cucumbers and raspberries Call ahead 970 250 5829

Orchard Valley Farms, Paonia You pick until end of October Peaches, nectarines and pumpkins 970 527 6838

Big B’s Delicious Orchards, Hotchkiss Check website for current list of what is available. No appointment necessary 970 527 1110

SHOPPING TIPS

Sweet Corn Sweet corn should have fresh green husks with silk ends that are free of decay. Ears should be evenly covered with plump, consistently sized kernels. Avoid corn with discolored or dry-looking husks, stem ends, or kernels.

Potatoes All potato varieties should be uniformly sized, fairly clean, firm and smooth. Avoid potatoes with wrinkled skins, soft dark spots, cut surfaces or green appearance.

Apples Choose apples that are firm to the touch, without bruises, with good color and a pleasant smell. Avoid fruit with bruises or broken skin.