Saturday, August 28, 2010

Monday, August 09, 2010

Heritage strains on the table


From a farmers market in Allentown, PA. Summer Rambos are rarely seen this far north these days but have been grown in Pa for at least 150 years old.  It's also called the Western Beauty, Rambour Franc, and Rambour d'Ete. At least two different varieties have carried the name. They may be a third related variety in Ohio there called the "Big Rambo" also called the Hoadley. From the name I expected that  the variety has a distant origin in France.  Further research puts that date at as early as 1535.

Molly's Delicious is a much more recent variety first bred in the 1960s. The Peceniak site has the following to say. I've never tried it myself. "It should not to be confused with Red Delicious strains, but having a more unique complex flavor with a juicy crisp flesh. The apple is mostly red with light yellowish/green background."