Sunday, September 12, 2010

Fade to Black …

There was a time when – for me - the new school term marked the change in seasons. New pencils, loose leaf binders, and perhaps a shiny lunch box, all signaled the fact that summer was over. Fortunately, I’m well beyond having to endure the mental anguish of a new school semester. Now, the transition from summer to autumn is more likely to be marked by a change in seasonal produce, which generates a whole different range of emotions.
At Restoration Farm, the blackberries have bid us farewell for another season, although during a recent visit, an unknown picker had managed to collect the last of the choice berries (pictured above). His – or her – harvest seemed a fitting image to remind us of what was, indeed, a splendid berry season.
As the blackberries fade to black, I manage to pick enough to bake into this tart and buttery Apple-Blackberry Cake.


To pair apples with blackberries is the perfect transition of seasons. The blackberries glisten atop the cake like rare, dark jewels, which now they are. Yet, there are just enough still tucked away in the freezer – to be baked into a crisp in the dead of winter – promising a precious reminder of the sweet rewards of Saturday morning berry picking at Restoration Farm.

©2010 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved

11 comments:

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Love the idea of apples and blackberries. I don't think I've ever used the two together.

~I AM Love~* said...

Oh yum, I'd love a slice of that cake right now... job well done from harvesting to baking ! Much better than pencils & notebooks :)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I really like the apple/blackberry combination. It's as if summer is welcoming autumn. My mother used to make blackberry jelly and whenever I see blackberries, I think of her.
Sam

Julia said...

I do like the transition! Just as I've got my fill of summer produce there's something delicious waiting for me in the fall.

that cake looks beautiful -- would have been a perfect Rosh Hashanah treat. :)

Deana Sidney said...

you know TW, I froze some of my berries the other week because I didn't get to use them that week and they were amazing when I thawed them... could hardly tell the difference! HOw I love them with apples... it is a popular combination i ENgland and Ireland. Great recipe that you share with us!!!

Foodiewife said...

I rarely choose blackberries, because I have my beloved local olallieberries. The combo of blackberries and apples, though, would make me reconsider. Excellent job. I do tend to mourn the end of berry season. Fortunately, we have freezers!

tasteofbeirut said...

Never thought of combining the two but it is a splendid combo! the blackberries add a note of tanginess to a mellow apple: yum! This cake is wonderful, I want some as soon as I get some mulberries off the tree.

Kalyn Denny said...

Blackberries are just so good. I'm realizing that I don't think I've ever seen them growing. Your cake looks fantastic.

Velva said...

I love blackberries. You have done a great job of highlighting them this summer. Love the flavor combination of apples and blackberries

I got to admit, I am ready for the sweltering heat to pass, put on a sweater and open the windows!

Barbara said...

This is such a lovely cake! Combining apples with the blackberries is a marvelous idea...balancing the flavors beautifully.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Thank you for sharing such lovely thoughts about the end of summer. I took a quick look at the recipe and it really sounds delicious. It's a fitting way to end the season and the good news is we still have apples and pumpkins to look forward to. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary