October Apples

The apple trees at the community garden are early fruit producers. By Mid May the vast majority of apples have fully ripened, and by early June they are pretty much gone. These are are nice sized apples, about the size of medium sized apples you would find at a grocery store. They are quite tasty, sweet and firm. Sort of between a golden delicious and a gala in my estimation. They are good for both eating and baking, and as a great apple enthusiast, it is a rare treat for me to have access to 2 apples trees fully loaded with ripened organic fruit.

The community fruit trees in Pio’s garden have got to be one our biggest perks. Not only do we have apples, but after the apples, come the figs. Then the pomegranates start ripening. The pomegranate trees have just finally wound down to a halt after producing loads of big red juicy fruit. And now we are beginning to enter citrus season. The lemons are just starting to turn yellow and the oranges, while still green, are already sweet and juicy enough to eat, even though they will be much better in a few weeks. And let’s not forget about the glorious peaches and plums that came even before those early apples.

We also have a peculiar phenomenon in mid October, when the apple trees get a surprising second wind. “October apples.” These apples are much smaller than the first crop, in both size and quantity, and as such they are barely even noticeable. The apples are about the size of small limes, like Mexican or Key lime. Or maybe a large walnut would be an apt size comparison. I also call them three bite apples because I can devour them in two or three quick bites. Never mind the cores, they go unnoticed. I love apples so much that every part of them is a treat, including the cores!

That said, I must confess October apples are a bit on the bitter side. Even after they’ve fully blushed, and even still after they’ve become a bit too soft inside, they remain more bitter than sweet. But they are apples! Small, bitter? That’s ok! Apples are apples are apples, especially organic apples, freshly picked off a tree! I rejoice every year when I notice the little October apples making their quiet appearance in the garden.