No Market 9/26

 Friends, due to weather we will not be attending market 9/26.

See you 10/3!

In the mean time the farm store is open! Watch for cider pressing updates!!

Important Apple Update

The update ya never really want to give, but it is what it is and there is nothing we can do but make the best of it.

It’s slim pickin’s this year, so priority always goes to our CSA Apple Share members.

Why? It’s a lower production year coming off a large bounty two years ago, and a pretty good crop last year, as well as several years of drier conditions. Highest pressure in some areas, sprinkle a little hail over here and there you go. Organic orcharding is not for the weak. 

We have good stuff going all year round, so there is no shortage of ways you can keep buying, and gifting local from us. Baking Apples (seconds) for processing, baking or budget eating remain available.

Thanks farm friends - we couldn’t do it without you! 

Recipe: Applesauce Oat Muffins

5 lbs bags of Baking Apples (seconds/blemished) are great for processing needs - applesauce, pie filling, etc. - and also a budget friendly option for baking, freezer treats, etc. I love sticking extra muffins in the freezer for grab and go snack and early farmers market mornings! Baking Apple bags are available in the farm store and at Saturday Mankato markets. 🍎

And a nice recipe for easy breakfast, school lunches or after school snack!

Healthy Applesauce Oat Muffins

Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 30 min

1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup milk         

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 Tablespoons butter , melted (or coconut oil)

1/3 cup granulated sugar       

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins , craisins, or chocolate chips

Combine Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla, butter and sugar. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cranberries or raisins. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir just until combined (don't overmix!)

Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don't over-bake or the muffins will be dry. Remove them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before freezing in a ziplock freezer bag.

https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/healthy-applesauce-oat-muffins/

Cider & Apple Update 9/8

 Cider is Fresh Pressed. Apples continue to come in slowly.

The farm store opens for the week today with fresh pressed cider! 100% Organic apples and nothing else.

Cider is on the shelf after each pressing, until it's sold out (or starts to ferment). Then there is usually a week or three gap until our schedule let's us press again!! This year we are working to keep it more available.

As we continue on apple picking, with each variety we are starting to see there just isn't as much harvest available as we thought before. It's turning out to be a more challenging apple year. SO, that means grab them if you see them. Bags of Baking Apples (second/blemished for processing, or a bargain bag for fresh eating) are more available this year also. 

The farm store is skinny right now, with the last of the KinderKrisp and a little early Haralson in stock.

Apple harvest first most importantly goes to our Apple Share CSA members. Hopefully I can keep bringing a small amount to market as well. Whatever you can do to support us during this season is very much appreciated!

We have heard this report on the apple season from growers around the region. It's just not a great apple year. There is high pest pressure, perhaps exacerbated by years of drought stress on trees. People have light to devastating affects from late spring frosts on blooms. In our orchard fire blight came in hot after that awful spring hail storm. Organic orcharding isn't for the week! 

Anywho! Watch for updates. Shop the farm store for cider and much more. Holler at me if you need anything! Cheers.

Brooke

Fresh Cider in Stock!!

 

Fresh Cider Has Landed!

I thought I didn't like 'apple juice' basically my whole life - til we pressed our own cider!

There is nothing like fresh cider, so preservatives, no pasteurization. Just delicious! Just pure apple goodness.

Just a reminder how "cider season" rolls here at the farm --> We press 4-5 times, depending on stock, etc. and that's it! It's available when it's on the shelf, in season, then it's gone. Grab it while it is here, freeze extras for later -- they freeze beautifully (maybe just take a little off the top for expansion. I usually put 3-5 in the freezer for recipes and popsicles.

Try the recipe below with our cider as well!

Organic Apples

Zestar! remains the star apple at this time and is fresh picked in the farm store and at market. Kindercrisp is coming in, but limited (Honeycrisp loves like these.) This week is a little lull before September apple bounty begins!

Farm Store Hours

Grab cider and apples at the farm Tuesday - Friday 9-7 and Saturday 9-2.

Make this!!!

Apples Baked in Cider

“If possible, use cider from a farm stand or farmer’s market—it has a deeper, more concentrated flavor than the grocery store brands, which wash out.” 

Serves 4

• 2 cups apple cider
• 4 firm cooking apples
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 pinch salt

Heat the oven to 375°F.

Pour the cider into a small skillet and bring it to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat until the liquid reduces by slightly less than half. It should be vaguely syrupy, but it will not be too thick. It will take less time in a skillet than in a saucepan because there is more surface evaporation. Either way, don’t just walk off to another room and leave it—you might set off your smoke alarm if you forget it. I speak from experience.

While the cider is reducing, peel the skin from the top third of each apple. Use a melon baller to dig out the apple core, leaving about 1/3-inch of the apple intact at the bottom. Place the apples in a pie pan or baking dish.

Stir the cinnamon, butter and brown sugar into the cider syrup. Pour it into the apple cavities, allowing it to overflow into the baking dish. Bake the apples for 40 to 50 minutes, until they are pleasantly soft but not collapsing. Baste the apples occasionally in the cider syrup if you happen to think of it, and add more cider if the liquid starts to dry out completely. The exact cooking time depends on the variety and size of the apples—some take longer than others.

Serve the apples warm in dessert bowls with the extra syrup spooned over them. If you want to dress them up, drizzle them with some heavy cream, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Custard sauce would be even better if you’re feeling ambitious. If any apples are leftover, warm them up for breakfast and eat with yogurt.    Source: Food52.com

“You can eat the sweet, mellowed apples bare -- a more virtuous cousin of the apple pie -- to restore you when you're feeling cold and low. Or you can dress them up with creme fraiche or ice cream, to celebrate the season.”

Enjoy!

Now Picking :: Zestar!

 

Early season fav Zestar! starts us off!!

Late July apple Pristine, cropped little this year and had pest damage, so Leo has eaten what was harvested there! Paula Red is another early season fav often spotted at the Market, but it is not cropping this year. Coming soon - John is watching the Chestnut Crab.

Did you know Zestar! was the big apple before Honeycrisp?!

Zestar! has a pleasing crisp texture, juicy, sweet-tart flavor with a hint of brown sugar. Excellent for fresh eating, storage and great for cooking too. Excellent storage qualities. Keeps 1-2 months.

Parentage: State Fair x MN 1691.

Offspring: SweeTango.

History: This apple was developed by horticulturalists at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Horticultural Research Center and was introduced in 1998. It was bred to survive in cold climates. 

Apple Shares close August 20th!!

Update 8/17 - Apple Shares are now closed.

Sign up now open for everyone!! Closing Aug. 20.

2026 will be our 15th season on the farm and 13th year of Apple Shares CSA! Email us to join the wait list. :) Email Brooke and John at info@alternativerootsfarm.com

Fall Apple Share Offerings for 2026

Each week enjoy a 4 lb bag of fresh & local apples.

Each bag sports 1-2 varieties of our organic apples. A mix of standard, lesser known and old heritage types. We'll send out a short weekly newsletter, with apple facts, orchard notes and a recipe. Begins the first week of September.

Three weekly pick up locations:

A.R.F. farm store (Th., Fri., or Sat.) - 6 or 8 weeks

New Ulm Pick Up, Turner Halle Lot (Th. at 5:00pm) - 6 or 8 weeks

Saturdays at the Mankato Farmers Market (8am-12pm) - 6 weeks

$60 :: 6 week Fall Apple Share

$78 :: 8 week Fall Apple Share *best price

*We are maintaining 2025 pricing for this season.

*4 lbs not enough? The option to sign up for 2 shares is available.

READ MORE & SIGN UP LINK   --> Fall Apple Shares