I think I'm going to make an apple pie, but I might look for a different apple pie than the apple pie I usually make. I love apple pie. This apple is a Jonagold. I don't know if I've ever made a pie with Jonagold apples? I like sweet apples. My grandpa ate a yellow apple — I guess it was a Golden Delicious apple — after lunch every single day. He peeled it with a sharp little paring knife at the kitchen table. When I went to Italy when I was in college, I walked into the room at our pensione (which was somebody's very old apartment that they'd turned into a sort of hotel) and it reminded me so much of my grandparents house, with a little square oilcloth-covered table, that I promptly burst into tears. The strangest thing was that my grandma's house had a very particular smell — kind of like Italian cooking with just a hint of mothballs — and earlier that same day, on the train from Munich to Rome, all of a sudden I had smelled that exact same smell. And I'd never smelled it anywhere else; my grandparents were gone, their house long sold. So when I later saw the table I just cried.

My grandpa was the fastest eater I've ever seen. My father was constantly yelling at him to slow down. But he ate an apple a day and he lived until he was in his late eighties, I think. Every time I eat an apple I think of him and his yellow apples. Always yellow. From the "pepper store," which is what we called the Italian greengrocer he liked to go to. I think it was this one, in Elmwood Park. Caputo's. I see from reading their history page that the founder was from a seaside town in Italy that was close to where my grandpa was from. I wonder if he knew that. He probably did. Those guys liked to stick together.

Comments

[Layne Sleeth]

:)

[blake @ salt teak & fog]

so true, they do stick together. makes me smile. i'm also someone who has strong scent memories... often to the point of tears, too.

[Mackenzie]

I love your blog because even though you live far away, you still mention places I know and love. Some of my first experience cooking whole meals by myself were made possible by the Caputo's in Elmwood Park. They built a new location at Harlem and Grand last year and it led to many dinner date nights with my Boy. They give out wine samples!

[Lisa]

Isn't it amazing how scent can instantly transport us through time and around the world? Great story!

[Debra K.]

I know exactly what you mean by the grandparent house smell! Both sets of my grandparents lived in Washington state, one in a small town, and the other on a dairy farm outside town. Both houses/kitchens had a similar scent, although my town grandma's kitchen was often overlaid with the scent of a ripening cantaloupe. After my family moved away, and the houses and farm were long gone, I visited a friend in Maine decades later, walked past the kitchen, and was bowled over by that same long-ago grandma-kitchen scent! Such a stab of nostalgia. Indescribable, but also unforgettable. I simply can't pinpoint what that smell comes from ... maybe home cookin' and love.

[Sarah in Indiana]

Your usual looks like a yummy pie. I'll have to try that one soon. Here's the one I usually make http://www.publicradio.org/columns/splendid-table/recipes/dessert_american.html In fact, I just ate a slice--such a great snack! This is a classic two crust apple pie. I don't make the cream cheese crust it calls for, since I don't usually have cream cheese on hand, so I'm sure bought crust would be good, too.

[Bonnie]

I made apple crisp last night, which is astounding since I rarely cook. I used Macintosh apples, which may have been too sweet. Still, it won't keep me from inhaling copious amounts of apple crisp over the next few days!

And also, I always think of my grandfather when I eat spaghetti. He taught me how to twirl it. I am grateful.

[Emily a la Blog]

Your writing is so poignant and takes me to a particular place and time, every post. Thank you for this online gift.

[samantha]

Makes me think of my grandmother, my moms mother, the only grandparent I ever knew. I love her and miss her so.
Gonna make some apple pies today too, with yellow apples but I like to put some pear in mine. My apple pies don't really turn out well unless I add the pear, don't know why.

[Cassandra]

I love it when you write posts like this. So inspiring and lovely. (Not that all of your posts aren't, but these ones with memory really strike a chord...)

[katiecrackernuts]

Did you see Poh's Kitchen on the tele last night. I was watching while doing the ironing. Nothing like a little food porn while doing housework. Anyhoot, knock out apple pie. The pastry had cheddar cheese in it. My kind of pie, a kick of savoury to offset the sweet.

[Andi]

I love how scents can do that, transport us to older times. There's one shampoo that takes me back to summer camp.

Anyway, I wanted to say that the leaf in the picture (if that's what it is) kind of looks like a mouse. =)

[ivey@durangomom.com]

oh my goodness, try this one!

right now!

http://www.durangomom.com/2011/10/ridiculous-apple-pie-and-short-rant.html

and the ‘smell’ of grandparents is a fascinating thing i think. i was in a store a few years ago and walked by an antique desk that had been polished with some sort of oil (i asked the owner and he said vetiver oil) and i was instantly transported to my grandmother’s basement stairwell from when i was ten years old. shocking and other worldly, in a wonderful way. thanx for the memory!

[Primrose Beresford]

I know what you mean about smells - you're in one place, you smell something, you can't name it, but suddenly you are transported across space and time, decades back to a place long forgotten.

Best Wishes
Primrose

[ivey@durangomom.com]

oh yes, one other that i keep thinking when i’m reading you.

you’re photos have sky rocketed to a new level of incredible beauty. i’ve always loved them, but they have taken on a new dimension that is stunning really.

[Kristy L.]

I love this post, Alicia! I just made an apple pie on Sunday and it was so delicious. I made my usual recipe, but after I made it, I too was thinking I needed to do somthing different next time. Enjoy baking!!!

[patty]

Yes, I know that smell! Both sides of my grandparents were Italian and my father also worked in a grocery store as a young man in the 1930's. I believe it was his favorite job as years later he still talked about it quite often.
For a good apple pie, Braeburns are a nice choice to try.

[Kristin]

You have such a gift for telling such simple stories. I feel like I'm right there with you.

[Elizabeth]

I don't follow a recipe for the filling, but the best easy pie crust is here: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_pie_crust/.
I've made the first recipe a few times and it's always perfect. Last weekend, I added a couple firm pears into my apple filling and it was delicious!

[jennifer]

Isn't it a blessing how we can be suprised by a sight or a smell into remembering loved ones like that? Beautiful.

[Christina M]

The memories of your grandfather remind me very much of my mother. She used to eat a Golden Delicious apple nearly every day after lunch. She would peel and cut it with a knife and eat it with some brie or camembert cheese. The best part, she would always give a little slice of apple to our dogs, a Border Collie and a Chihuahua. It's my favorite memory of her.

[Susan]

A previous office mate had a neighbor who made lotions in her home and often sent samples for us. One day, I uncapped the bottle and promptly burst into tears. It was a 'Mama' scent, one that I hadn't smelled in years. I have no idea what it the scents actually were but I sent lotion as Christmas presents for close friends and family and everyone said.."It smells just like your mom!" I still have a tiny bit and hope that it doesn't change over time. Scents and the character of light bring many memories to me.

[Sally McEntire]

I recently lost my grandparents and it is amazing how little things will trigger my memory and I'll be filled with strong emotions. Sure do miss them.

About apple pies, might I suggest this one? http://www.momswhothink.com/pie-recipes/apple-pie-recipe.html

I just made it, but with a crisp topping, and it is really delicious. I am also very fond of your favorite pie as well, but sometimes only the classic will do.

[librarygirl]

I love that little story, so many little pictures in my head from your words.

[April Moore Skelton]

My grandparents' old farmhouse...well, I think I've told you before about the smell of old wood. Just THINKING about the smell I almost cry. But my Grandma turned 88 last month and she's doing great. Farmhouse is long sold, though. Wish I could go there again. I wish it so much.

I think I need an apple. Love to you, thinking of you much and often.