Photo courtesy of Haney's Appledale Farm
applepie
Haney's famous apple pies
How many foods do we eat in our lifetime, I wonder? Out of those thousands and thousands, how many are memorable? And how many of those make our mouths water with the recollection (or anticipation)? Truly, only a few. And what woudl we do to have that food again? Would you drive a hundred miles? I believe I would, for the right food.
I can tell you with no doubt I'd drive a hundred miles for the fried apple pies at Haney's Appledale Farm in Nancy. I'll be telling you more about them when I get to Pulaski county in my 120 Eats quest. But I can't wait that long to let you know about the existence of these glorious treats.
Long before i knew about the existence of such things as macarons and chocolate tortes, my great love in the sweets world was Haney's apple pies. I lived in Nancy as a kid, not far from the lovely apple orchards at Haney's. My mom even worked there briefly, so I often found myself in their apple-scented roadside market. While the cider and apple butter tempted, there was never any contest. I was there for the fried apple pies. The smell lures you from the moment you walk into the pie shop. I defy anyone to breathe in a whiff of that crisp, sweet pie and turn it down. I can't count how many times I've sat down to that hand pie, polished it off, and taken home a bag of still-warm pies for later (they don't last long -- I jsut can't resist!).
Living in Louisville I don't make it down to Haney's often anymore. Luckily, my parents are still in Somerset, so on occasion when we're in for a visit someone will suggest we go to Haney's. You don't have to ask me twice! It's more than worth the trip.
I am excited to try a city take on those pies tomorrow. At the Flea Off Market in Louisville from 10-5 tomorrow the Grind gourmet burger truck is serving up salted caramel apple hand pies. That familiar mouthwatering sensation returns at the thought of apple pies from my childhood plus salted caramel - a grownup ingredient I can't get enough of. And bonus - I don't actually have to drive the hundred miles.