Where to purchase Ida Reds or Northern Spys in Mpls-St. Paul?

[soccermom13]

Check out this Tarte Tatin from Leite's Culinaria:

http://leitesculinaria.com/77464/reci...

Does anyone know where I can purchase Ida Reds or Northern Spys or a similar apple in St. Paul or Mpls?

Thanks.

[diesel]

I saw Northern Spys at the market at Heartland a few weeks back. I wasn't paying particular attention, but they usually carry other heirloom varieties too. It's worth stopping in - they really have gorgeous produce and other stuff too. (Warning, not the cheapest.)

http://www.heartlandrestaurant.com/in...

[soccermom13]

Thanks, Diesel. This supplies the motivation I need to get myself over to Heartland for a look-see. I work close by, so there's no excuse for not having visited yet.

[karykat]

I thought I saw Northern Spies at Mississippi Market. I could be wrong. I wasn't looking for them but kind of remember seeing them there. You could call and ask. They have lots of varieties.

[soccermom13]

Hi Karykat,
Were you at the W7th or the Selby Miss. Mkt?
Thanks.

[karykat]

I was at the Selby store. Rats. I was just there and didn't look. I didn't see them today but like I say - wasn't looking. They have a good selection I think.

Give them a buzz. The produce people will know right off.

Today I was at the St. Paul farmers market. And bought some Regents. There have been some good apples this year at the market.

[soccermom13]

Thanks so much, Kary. I'll try to swing by Selby tomorrow.

[soccermom13]

Hi Kary,
I did not see N Spys at Miss Mkt, but I bought some other really good apples. The Regents are really good, aren't they? Do you eat them fresh only? How are they in pies/crisps?
Thanks again,
s-mom

[KTFoley]

I suspect that the season for fresh Northern Spies in the market is still going on. They're usually picked starting in mid-October. If Regents are hard to find, Haralsons are similar.

[karykat]

I haven't used the Regents in baking. Just got some at the farmers market for eating and they are good.

A couple weeks ago I got some harelsons at the farmers market and they were fantastic for a cobbler. They were kind of tart and kept their shape and did not get mushy, But I did not see any more last week.

[soccermom13]

Thanks, KT and Kary, for this info. Next up for me in my search for apples are Seward Coop and Heartland.

[karykat]

I was able to buy some Regents at the farmers market last week but I'm a little disappointed in them. They're not very intense in flavor. Kind of watery. They are destined for applesauce now. I should they asked to taste them first. The coops and the farmers market will let you do that.

[ZMpls]

Try Sweetland Orchards at http://sweetlandorchard.com/
It's a little late for the local farmers markets, but they are doing deliveries in the cities at a number of locations. Check out their website for more information. In addition to Northern Spys, they have Bonnie Bests, which is a wonderful cooking apple. I got a bag from them last weekend. You can email them for recommendations about what's good as well.

[soccermom13]

Lia and Z---Thank you!

[karykat]

What are the Bonnie Bests like? Hard? Tart?

[LiaM]

There are a few apple sellers at the St. Paul Farmer's Market who have a lot of different kinds of apples, though I can't recall if they have these particular kinds. You might also try the co-ops.

You can probably use any baking apple for a tarte tatin, though. Zestars, Granny Smiths, Regent, whatever.

[karykat]

I really enjoyed the Zestars this fall at the farmers market. I know that guy I was buying them from ran out (thanks to me in small part!) but others may have them.