Pacific Northwest calendar
Apple
Malus domestica · rose family · the fruit, a pome: the flower base grown around the core
At its best in Western Washington from mid October to early December. Right now it’s at its best now.
The season
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Field notes
Choosing
Firm, no soft spots, fragrant at the stem. Supermarket apples can be from last year’s harvest, kept for months in cold storage — for apples picked this year, buy local.
Keeping
Fridge crisper, weeks — the coldest part keeps them crisp.
Varieties to know
Granny Smith — tart and firm, holds its shape in a pie.
Honeycrisp — very crisp and juicy, best eaten raw.
McIntosh — soft and tangy, cooks down fast into sauce.
Also in season in Western Washington
Beets
at its best now
Brussels Sprouts
just arriving
Celery
at its best now
Cherry Tomato
winding down
Collard Greens
just arriving
Corn
winding down
Season dates for the Pacific Northwest calendar, checked locally.