Apple Picking at Drove Orchards Thornham

Apple Picking at Drove Orchards Thornham

I’ve been back to Drove Orchards almost every autumn for the past 12 years, and get treated to the same discount of a free bag of pears, plums or apples with every trip. It has expanded almost beyond all recognition in that time but has kept its charm, especially in the “pick your own” fields. Avoid the pizza place though as it’s hugely overpriced and underwhelming. Get chips further up the road from Frenchies in Wells instead.

Apple Picking at Drove Orchards Thornham
Apple Picking at Drove Orchards Thornham
Apple Picking at Drove Orchards Thornham
Apple Picking at Drove Orchards Thornham

Vegan apple, pear and blackberry crumble with dark chocolate

Vegan apple, pear and blackberry crumble with dark chocolate

A couple of weeks after picking our apples and pears, we found some blackberries to go with them in a crumble. Living my best wholesome life. Trying to time it right with picking brambles fails me every year. It’s best to hold off until mid-September when only a few remain to get the juiciest, sweetest berries without risking an underripe sharp tang. That being said, you have to play it just right so that they haven’t already been plucked by locals.

I like my crumble to have just a hint of sweetness with a crispy, chunky topping. I love to lace mine with dark chocolate as it pairs with the tart fruits perfectly. When it comes to making a good crumble, just go with the flow and avoid measuring things out too rigidly. Part of the fun is just whacking everything in the oven and hoping for the best.

Vegan apple, pear and blackberry crumble with dark chocolate

The method is far too easy to write out a detailed recipe for. Just soften all the fruit in a large pan with some brown sugar and Flora Plant Butter just enough so that it still has a bite. Whilst the fruit is doing its thing, gently rub some cold butter into some flour between your fingers before adding in oats and some brown sugar. I like to leave big chunks so that I end up with a cross between a crumble and cobbler. Then add the base layer of fruit to a baking tray along with chopped dark chocolate, sprinkle over the topping and bake at 180°c for around fifteen minutes. I have Swedish Glace vanilla ice cream with mine.

Enjoy!

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