Crabapple trees fare well under the stress of heat and drought, as proven by these laden branches at Fieldstone Orchard. Crabapples are available at the orchard or at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market! by Linda Cottin

Apple pie and the Fourth of July, nothing can get more American than that, assuming your apple pie is made with Crabapples. Traditional apples are not native to the United States. They were first cultivated in Northern America in the mid 1600’s when colonial settlers planted apple orchards from seed. The legendary (and real) Johnny [Chapman] Appleseed is perhaps most responsible for the proliferation of apples across the US. In the early 1800’s he planted apple “nurseries” across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana; leaving them in the care of neighbors and returning periodically to tend to the trees.

Crabapples on the other hand are native to the western hemisphere and likely greeted settlers as they landed upon this great nation. Whether a tree is of standard or ornamental variety, the small tart orbs crabapple trees produce are fully edible. Crabapples are tart enough to make eating them raw an unpleasant experience for some, but when boiled down or fermented with a little sweetener they can prove to be a delectable addition to many a dish.

Pickled Fieldstone Crabapples available from The Yeast We Ca Do at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market. by Linda Cottin

Crabapple jelly and pickled crabapples are perhaps the most common crabapple fare, but the internet is rife with crabapple recipes including: Crabapple Cider, Crabapple Wine, Crabapple Bread, Crabapple Tarts, Crabapple Butter and maybe the easiest, Crabapple Crumble.

Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market patrons bear the heat in lieu of fresh local produce, great music and Free State beer! by Linda Cottin

This week at Cottin’s hardware Farmers Market Fieldstone Orchard will have an ample supply of fresh picked, chemical free, crabapples. Along with local crabapples, Terrebonne Cafe will make their culinary debut. Chef Greg will be on hand whipping up some delightful Cajun/Creole food while Bill Crahan and Scott Tichenor set the mood with their awesome guitar and mandolin strumming!

Drum Creek Cattle Company will return after a short hiatus to supply market patrons with fresh, local grass finished beef and Iwig Dairy will have their regular supply of delicious hormone free ice cream along with some very tasty nuts you can sample while you shop!

Carrots and Cherry Tomatoes are in full swing at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market! by Linda Cottin

The regular array of top notch vendors will have a great seasonal selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, bake goods, jams, jellies and locally made pork rinds, among other things. Peaches, plums, blackberries, chard, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, potatoes, carrots, beets, beans, peas and so much more will be available for purchase at various farm stands and Upward Spirals, Stony Ridge Farm, Martin Farm and The Yeast We Can Do will have a wide selection of bake goods and breads.

Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market is held in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence each Thursday from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Free State beer, hot food, live music and public chess tables are available weekly along with a wonderful selection of fresh local produce.

Come join the fun at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market!