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ITALIA STAFF PICKS |
APPLE PICKING by Sarah Lagrotteria According to the Roman Poet Horace, the perfect meal begins with eggs and ends with apples. While we may digress from that formula, we at Babbo love apples at any time; eaten fresh and crispy from the tree, tucked into sandwiches, baked into a pie or cake or alongside meats, drizzled with honey, stewed with cinnamon and sugar, etc. …. Apples have been around forever, with references appearing quite famously in the Bible, The Odyssey, and Greek Mythology. A tablet found dating back to 1500 B.C. Northern Mesopotamia documents the sale of an apple orchard. The price? Three prized sheep. A similar tablet from the same period attests to monetary punishment for anyone caught damaging an apple orchard. Since ancient times, apples have been considered to have medicinal value, easing digestion and fighting infection. Also thought to be an aphrodisiac, an apple served as dessert was once considered a proposition in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. Lucky for us, New York state has an abundance of apple-bearing orchards. Listed here are a few located just outside of Manhattan where we can fill our own baskets. It’s time to get picking…. Dr. Davies Farm Route 304 Farmstand Congers, NY 10924 Tel: 845-268-7020 This farm is located only 12 miles or so past the George Washington Bridge. Hayrides for kids are given throughout the day. Lewin Farms 830 Sound Avenue Wading River, NY 11792 631-929-4327 Lewin Farms stays open for picking from summertime to the winter holidays, growing berries, peaches, eggplant, pumpkins, apples and a field of evergreens for Christmas trees. Salingers Orchard 230 Guinea Road Brewster, NY 10509 US 845-277-3521 In addition to their pumpkins, summer fruit, and great variety of fall apples (including Paula Red, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, and Macoun varities), Salingers has a gift shop stocked with fresh-pressed cider and baked goods. |
 Travel around New
York City with the Babbo staff. |
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