Community Newspaper Special Sections Bergen County Fall Dining Guide | Page 11

PUMPKINS: DANIELLE PARHIZKARAN; APPLES: CHRIS MONROE: MARKET: AMY NEWMAN

2016 FALL DINING GUIDE
pumpkin painting is on the agenda. Boone says
that children will even get to have a turn on
antique cider presses as the town’s Historical
Association will be holding demonstrations on
apple cider making. It’s a time when patrons’
shopping habits shift to everything autumn.
“Market goers begin to choose heartier fare
and look forward to the pumpkin and apple pies,
tarts, apple cider and apple cider donuts, hot tea
with sweet honey, organic maple syrup for
morning pancakes, hearty soups, flavorful chili,
pumpkin ravioli and lots more,” says Boone.
And if you’re looking to go beyond the farmers’ market, consider heading right to the farm
where you can roll up your sleeves, get your
hands a little dirty, pick some fresh produce, hop
on a hayride, and get intoxicated from the sweet
aroma of apple cider donuts and warm apple pie.
At Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, patrons come
for the pumpkins and expansive from-scratch
market items, but line up throughout the fall for
a main attraction – taking a voyage into the
expansive orchards that contain just about every
type of apple that can come to mind – Ruby,
Macintosh, Cortland, Golden Supreme, Red
Delicious, Empire, Gala and so much more.
Whether you’re aim is to make a home-baked
apple pie or tart, create a fruit salad, or even dip
them in caramel or chocolate, there’s an apple
for that at Demarest Farms.
“Prepare yourself for a new experience in
apple picking,” the farm’s website reads.
“Demarest Farms features well-manicured trees,
spectacular views, and tasty apple varieties –
home to more than 14 varieties of pick-your-own
apples. From September to November, we offer
schools, families, friends and visitors and golden
delicious opportunity to enjoy breathtaking
scenery, tractor pulled hay wagon rides, pet and
feed friendly farm animals, savor our delicious
honey, fresh pressed apple cider, apple cider
donuts, homemade mixes, apple butter, fresh
preserves, and other treats at our farm.”
While expansive apple orchards don’t exist at
Abma’s Farm in or Secor Farms in Mahwah, fall
fare and the fall experience are on full display –
hayrides, pumpkin picking, traditional fall treats
are all front and center.
At Abma’s, the Abma family, who has been
part of the Wyckoff landscape for over 85 years,
has the opportunity to showcase their 30 acres of
fields, greenhouses, market and petting zoo to
visitors near and far. Patrons climb onto public
hayrides throughout the month of October
weaving through Abma’s giant pumpkin patch
before disembarking for family-friendly fun that
can take them anywhere from feeding the
resident goats to perusing the expansive market
that showcases produce usually harvesting within
24 hours of purchase.
“All the buzz about farmers’ markets and buying local is nothing new to us,” the Abmas state.
“It is what we’ve been doing since the Abma
Family began farming in over 85 years ago.
Buying local, in-season food is smart, healthy
and sensible.” ◆

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The pumpkin patch at Demarest Farms in Hillsdale
can be a bit overwhelming sometimes. You need to
invest some time sifting to find the very best one.

At Demarest Farms, a tractor and wagon will take
you deep into the orchards where you’ll be able
to pick nearly every conceivable type of apple
you can think of.

The Ramsey Farmer’s Market is bustling in the
fall as shoppers look to snag some of the farmfresh produce and artisan goodies that are so
popular this time of year.