An Apple a Day in September
September in Nova Scotia means cool nights, warm days, and more importantly, the return of apple season! Whether you’re drinking an apple cider, eating apple jelly, or picking apples at a u-pick, there are tons of ways to celebrate apple season. Keep reading to see our collection of apple activities, drinks and recipes to ensure your September is filled with Nova Scotia apples!
Where to source Nova Scotia apples
There’s nothing better than enjoying a fresh, ripe apple that you picked yourself! Here in Nova Scotia, we’re lucky to have multiple orchards that allow you to pick your own bushels. Noggins Corner Farm Market in Greenwich both has a U-Picks perfect for your next adventure to the Annapolis Valley!
You can find local Nova Scotia apples at the retail locations for Noggins Corner Farm Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., and Scotian Gold along with any of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia.
Also make sure to look for Scotian Gold apples at your local Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, several independent retailers, Walmart, and Costco.
Apple Recipes
Once you have a whole bag of hand-picked apples, try your hand at any of these delicious Nova Scotia apple-filled recipes. Baking apples into a yummy dessert is always a must so why not try making a classic Apple Pie, Apple Cinnamon Turnovers or Maple Apple Ice Cream (pro-tip: the ice cream pairs great with both desserts).
If you’re not much of a sweet-tooth – don’t fret! Our Bulwark Original Cider Braised Pork Loin with Nova Scotia Apple Chutney, Honey Roasted Apple & Parsnip Soup, Seared Scallops with Arugula Apple Salad or Apple BBQ Pulled Pork are all great choices!
Apple Beverages
If enjoying apples in beverage form is more your style, look no further. Cider is a Nova Scotian favourite and because of this, there is a growing number of great cider producers around the province. Lake City Cider and Chain Yard Urban Cidery are both located in the Halifax Metro region, while Maritime Express Cider Co., Annapolis Cider Company, and Chill Street Craft Beverages are all in the Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley region and BULWARK Cider is located in New Ross.
L’Acadie Vineyards also makes a delicious cider, as does Casa Nova Fine Beverages. If cider with a bit more kick sounds intriguing, make sure to try the Rummed Cider from Planters Ridge. Several breweries, including Saltbox Brewery in Mahone Bay, are now also making ciders.
After trying all of the cider that Nova Scotia has to offer, try your hand at mixing your own apple cocktails, like our Apple of My Eye Cocktail or The Annapolis. We can’t forget to mention Grand Pre Wines’ Pomme D’Or Apple Cream Liqueur or Ironworks Distillery apple brandy or vodka, both stellar apple options for a delicious cocktail.
Abundant Apple Products
Apple beverages aren’t the only apple products made in Nova Scotia. Other delicious products include Noggins Corner Farm Market Apple Chips, Sable Shortbread Apple Pie Shortbread, Galloping Cows Fine Foods Apple Butter, Viveau apple sparkling beverage, Solas Kombucha Spiced Winter Apple Kombucha, Harvest and Wild Apple Pie Chutney and Tangled Garden Apple Sage Jelly.
Apple season won’t last forever so to take full advantage and make sure to tag @TasteofNS in all of your local apple adventure pictures!