Gotta Get the Gold Rush

These apples are so strongly flavored, crisp, acidic, mouthwatering, and, well, basically a sensation. The children have been fighting over them, and we are down to our last two so I expect a brawl in the morning. Because Gold Rush is a hybrid of several old varieties including Winesap, Golden Delicious, Rome and Melrose, it is a medium color, mostly yellow with areas of green and red. The complex flavor comes from this mix of tart and sweet apples. The hybrid process (which is completely distinguishable from genetic modification) began in 1945 and was perfected through six generations until the first Gold Rush seed was planted in 1973. The apples finally hit the market in 1993 and have been embraced enthusiastically by consumers. They can be found in many states, not just the Northeast and they are the official state fruit of Illinois. So, give them a try. You can find them at many of the city's green markets including the Union Square farmer's market. They are flavorful and store well, maintaining their juicy crunch.