Crunch on a Slack Ma Girdle. Tuck into a Dog’s Snout…

Do you prefer a sweet apple or a sharp, tart apple? It all depends on mood and individual taste, I know. And there are apples whose very name puts you off eating them. I don’t really fancy the Dog’s Snout (an old Yorkshire cooker) or Bloody Ploughman, or tucking into a Sheepnose, Ballyfatten, Hangdown, Redstreak, Manks Codlin or Maiden’s Blush. And least said about Slack Ma Girdle (an old variety of cider apple) the better. Then there are those strange apples named after people: Cardinal Von Galen, Ben Davis, Charles Ross, although, strangely, Granny Smith sounds fine.

But the things you can make with apples – even the mushy textured ones – are remarkable. In Yorkshire there are many producers working wonders with various varieties, creating a range of products including wine, cider, vinegar and chutney. Here are a few of my favourites:

Yorkshire Apple Wine
A 14.2% wine from Luddenden Valley Wines in West Yorkshire. They hand-mill and press a blend of apples from their own orchards and other local trees. The pure apple juice is then fermented with a fine wine yeast to produce a crystal clear, smooth and fruity wine. A lovely social wine and great with pork, of course. More here.

Yorkshire Vinaigrette
A Sweet Apple Vinaigrette Dressing from Wharfe Valley Farms near Wetherby. A simple but great dressing with a sweet apple flavour made with their low saturated oil. More here.

Yorkshire Pork, Apple & Stuffing Pie
Do you know what goes really well with apple? Pork, of course. Actually, it might be the other way round: pork goes really well with apple. C & G Starkeys butchers in Sherburn-in-Elmet, who are a cut above the rest as members of the Q Guild Butchers Association, make a wonderful pork, apple and stuffing pie. More here.

Yorkshire Cider
A collaboration between two villages led to the formation of Colemans Cider Company in 2014. They are going from strength to strength and varieties include traditional apple, damson and, of course, Yorkshire rhubarb. Their apple juice is refreshing and made with 100% Yorkshire apples. You can buy them at various outlets, food festivals and farmers’ markets. Fodder in Harrogate is a favourite of mine for all Yorkshire produce! More here.

Yorkshire Apple and Ginger Chutney
Bessie’s Yorkshire Preserves are based in York and specialise in making homemade chutneys, jams and relishes. Elaine was inspired by her Nan, Bessie, who turned produce from her family farm in Pateley Bridge in the heart of Nidderdale into something yummy! Bessies Punchy Apple and Ginger chutney is just delicious with roast pork and crackling. More here.

The author:

Ann lives in North Yorkshire, has recently retired and enjoys writing about all things Yorkshire, food and travel. She loves her own garden and visiting others too.