Heavyweight harvest from garden tree

I WOULD not be surprised if some of the falling apples from my garden tree registered on the Richter scale.

Most are of a fairly standard size, but every year the modest tree produces a handful of giants.

They must make a hefty thud as they hit the ground – sending shockwaves through the ground and leaving the earthworms deep beneath with headaches, wondering whether they are experiencing a minor earthquake.

Unfortunately, these apple heavyweights do get damaged when the wind finally shakes them from the tree, but once the bruises are cut out, two or three are almost enough to make an apple crumble.

The variety is the red devil, with a sweet but quite dry texture that benefits from cooking.

And what better way to add a little extra interest to the recipe than with homegrown walnuts, which I was given a bag of this week? I have never eaten walnuts from someone’s garden before. They had been dried and when cracked open were every bit like those I buy in shops for Christmas – only I have to say they were especially tasty.

That is often said about homegrown produce when compared with supermarket food.

I’m not sure it applies in all cases, though produce fresh from the garden does have the added taste of satisfaction and a subtle flavour of nostalgic romanticism – but I could notice the difference with these walnuts.

It is always reassuring to know where your food has come from and that it has not been doused in various sprays.

So now I just need to figure out the perfect apple and walnut recipe. Any suggestions?

Charlie Elder > Large apples from the garden