I took a quick jaunt up towards Rexville on Saturday to get some sweet corn for the freezer. While I was up there I remembered that Pleasant Ridge Farm opened on Labor Day and that I could swing by for apple cider – mmmm.
As I pulled up I realized that not only could I get cider, there were apples and pears galore! I feel in love with the Pink Pearl apples at first glance and decided then and there to bring some home for a tart. Don’t you just love that pink flesh? They’re so amazing sweet without being cloying.
A quick crust rolled and dumped willy-nilly into my favorite pie plate, a tumble of peeled and sliced apples poured in, a bit of nutmeg, cinnamon and sugar. I simply folded the edges of the crust in over the apples and baked at 400 for 40 minutes.
The apples in the center came out just a bit singed at the edges, but they still tasted divine. We’ve had this for dessert, for breakfast and for dinner over the past three days. I can’t wait to make it again, maybe next time I’ll try it with pears.
*****
Pleasant Ridge Farm
19166 Rexville Road
Mount Vernon
360-466-3228
Offerings: Variety apples, pears, cider
Hours: Labor Day through December; Daily, 9am – 6pm
Directions: I-5 Conway Exit, to LaConner. Cross No. Fork Bridge, first rt Rexville Rd, left at “Y”.
I’ve never tried (or seen!) Pink Pearl apples, but they look stunning. What is the texture like? Does it hold up well to baking (looks like it)… I’ll have to see if my local orchards grow these.
Laura, We drive by that place almost every weekend on the way up to La Conner. I am going to stop next time. Those apples look great and I love pears. But I must tell you… the best corn is just across the freeway from you at Mountain View Farms. My family has been buying his procuce for over 20 years. It is 1 block East of Main street about 2 blocks north of the Fred Meyer just pass the round-a-bout. (I do not know the address) He opens at 9:30 and closes about 4:00, Monday – Saturday.
I stopped at Pleasant Ridge for the first time a couple of weeks ago just to see what was there and ended up buying a huge bag worth of stuff – squash, apples, corn, pears and some concord grapes (which weren’t quite ripe yet, darn it). I’m going to Stanwood this weekend and will definitely stop there again. The corn was excellent – very sweet. I might try Mtn View Farms too.
Sounds like a galette. The pink apples are quite beautiful – good reason not to cover them up.
Hey, thanks for the tip on the farm. We will definitely check that place out. We like to go to Merritt Orchards over by Bay View, then swing by the Sakuma’s on Cook Rd. My hubby is from Burlington, so we have to make an annual pilgrimage each year. Your tart looks devine. You guys must be really disciplined. That thing would never last 3 days at my house.
I tried an open faced pie with the Pink Pearl apples, as well. The pie turned out beautifully. My guests loved it, and they had so many great things to say about the very colorful pink apples. I have, in the past, also made apple cider from both the Pink Pearl apples and the Scarlet Surprise apples that Pleasant Ridge Farm has to offer. The cider is pink, just as pink as pink grapefruit juice, yet it tastes like apples. It’s a little tart, but it has a very pretty presentation. Pleasant Ridge Farm not only has apples, pears, and squash, but has fresh flowers, beans, garden vegetables, and pumpkins. I stop there almost weekly and my family and my self love all their produce.