Cider Pressing at Botna Burrow

When the air starts to turn crisp, don't you start to think about things like pumpkins, apples, harvest, and holidays? I do! I've been apple picking once and have used up most of my apples baking, but there's nothing quite like apple cider. When Botna Burrow announced their Community Cider Pressing, I looked forward to it! Everyone was invited to bring apples and a jar to make apple cider in their old timey press.

Not only that, but there was a pie contest.

Sweet potato, pumpkin and pear, and my two are pictured here.

I entered two pies (I guess that's kind of cheating because I was the only one who did two, but they allowed it). One was a bourbon apple pie, inspired by this one at A Beatiful Mess. The other was a cheddar crusted apple pie with crumb topping and caramel jalapeno sauce. Neither won to top prize, but the jalapeno one won "most creative." It was the first time I tried a cheddar crust and it won't be the last! 

Pie #5 won the top prize! Well done!

Cider pressing is serious business. If I had a video of this, you'd see how much physical work it takes to run the machine. I'm so glad I was able to benefit from others' hard work! The results were delicious.

Farm tours were also offered. Fresh cider warmed over the fire was enjoyed:

And oh my, the potluck. All vegetarian, including vegan shepherd's pie, hummus, salads, and soups, too.

As it got dark, the warm orange lights came out. People gathered around the fire, and the pressing went on:

And pumpkin carving, too!

I can't imagine a more perfect fall party.

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