WHERE TO GO APPLE AND PUMPKIN PICKING IN WESTCHESTER 2022!

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, Yorktown Heights, NY

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As the crisp days of fall unfold, there's time to plan a trip to an orchard for a bushel or two of the year's finest apples.

Most of these "pick your own" orchards offer a chance to pick up other seasonal vegetables, select farm-fresh foods, and enjoy some family-style events and activities.

Fix Bros. Farm, 215 White Birch Road, Hudson, NY. Cash or check only. Go to their website for the amazing story of their 100-year-old McIntosh apple tree — it's a quick read.

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights.914 245-5111. The apple season started in September, but there could be a couple of weeks left. Pumpkins in October, and in December you can hunt for Christmas trees. Stop by the gift shop for freshly baked cookies, doughnuts and strudel sticks, and check out the wine-tastings.

Stuart's Fruit Farm, 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs. 914 245-2784. The 200-acre family-owned farm offers nine different varieties of apples as well as pumpkins. Apple picking runs daily from 10am – 5pm through November. There are a variety of over 20 apples to choose; depending on the type of apple the picking period varies. Check out the website to see when your favorite apple is available for picking. If you just want to take a trip to enjoy the farm and enjoy a delicious apple, you can purchase apples in the farm stand.

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem. 914 485-1210. The pick your own season kicks off in September and runs right through the end of October. By reservation only.

Dr. Davies Farm, 306 Route 304, Congers. 845 268-7020. Apple picking every day 10am-4pm. Book a reservation for quick entry or come up to the farm.

The Orchards of Concklin, 2 South Mountain Road, Pomona. 845 354-0369. Open to the public for picking Saturdays and Sundays only, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also visit the farm stand, and taste the fresh-pressed apple cider. The bakery offers delicious pies, cookies, and pastries.

Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction. 845-897-4377. Reservations for Fall Harvest Season are now posted now through Oct. 10. They also have some fun events in store like their Fall Harvest Festivals! Check out the events page to learn more about live music at the cider bar, yoga on the farm, harvest festivals and more.

Apple Hill Farm, 124 Route 32, New Paltz. 845 255-1605. Open Columbus Day. Pick Your Own is Friday thru Sunday, 10am-5pm. through Oct. 16. The farm stand will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 29.

Hurds Family Farm, 2185 Route 32, Modena. 845 883-6300. Open every day. For Saturdays and Sundays, tickets for apple picking and activities (pony rides start in October) are sold separately. Tickets go on sale the Tuesday before.

Wilklow Orchards, 341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland. 845 691-2339. Open every weekend to October 31st, 9-6 daily. If you want, you can use a Picker Pole for the apples that are out of reach. You have a choice of a Large or Small Bag. The Large Bags hold 20-25 lbs, and get 4 people (anyone 5 or over) in the Orchard, and the Small bags hold 10-12 Lbs and allow two people in. You can buy as many bags as you like! We will also give you a detailed map of the orchard. You can pick out what types of apples you want, and you will know where to find them!

Greig Farm, 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook.845 758-1234. The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The farm has been open to the public for more than 60 years. Apple picking began in late August and continues through late October. The family of pygmy goats can be found playing on their jungle gym and rolling around mountains of hay all year round. Bring a few quarters to feed the goats alfalfa pellets from your hand.

Rose Hill Farm, 1798, 19 Rose Hill, Red Hook. 845 758-4215. Pick your own 3pm-dusk Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays. You can peruse offerings in the Taproom, select snacks and order your wine, cider, beer at the bar. For food pop-ups, live music, events and classes, see details on their Events page.

Lawrence Farm Orchards, 39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh. 845 562-4268. During picking season we are open daily from 9am-4pm. In addition to apples we have Seedless table grapes, Concord and Niagara grapes, Sweet Corn, eggplant, broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, radish, swiss chard, peppers, kohlrabi, chinese cabbage, kale, and zucchini. Admission to the farm is $7 per person Monday-Thursday $10 per person Friday-Sunday and Holidays (season passes are available). Children 2 and under are free.

Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Westchester County

TACO DIVE BAR with views of the HUDSON!

IT’S MAY 5TH! THAT MEANS IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE Cinco de Mayo!

For the holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France in 1862, we thought we’d suggest a couple of spots in Westchester where you can mount your own triumph.

TACO DIVE BAR

55 Hudson Ave, Peekskill, 914.788-8226

One of my favorite views of the Hudson is from a table at this joint. The Taco Dive Bar is located at the Riverfront Green in Peekskill. Get ready for tasty Tacos, nachos and tequila with a picturesque view of the Hudson River.

bartaco

1 Willet Ave, Port Chester; 914.937.8226

From May 5 to June 14, bartaco is teaming up with the hot sauce experts at Austin-based Yellowbird Foods to offer their first-ever #bartacosecret taco, featuring Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha. Lemongrass-marinated coconut shrimp is served atop a green papaya salad and finished with a garlicky-sweet drizzle; these flavors pair perfectly with bartaco’s acclaimed margaritas.

Cantina Lobos

217 Wolfs Ln, Pelham; 914.380.8644

During its annual fiesta, this modern restaurant and bar in Pelham will be celebrating with drink and food specials, as well as traditional Mexican music performed by an in-house Mariachi band.

La Casa Bronxville

7 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville; 914.222.9016

The lovely La Casa is hosting a special event from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Indulge in a tasting menu featuring “Greatest Hits” like crab tostadas, carne asada, shrimp and octopus tacos, camarones, and more. Then head to the open bar to sip on wine, beer, and new spring cocktails. Expect elevated, photo-worthy traditional fare, plus some surprise items, this night only. Advance booking is required; space is limited.

See What Delmonico's Is Cooking Up This Holiday Season

The Wanna brings you a special Thanksgiving episode for Food You Wanna Eat! We hit Delmonico's America's first fine dining restaurant!

CELEBRATE NATIONAL COFFEE DAY WITH SOME OF THE BEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD!

IT'S NATIONAL COFFEE DAY!  

TIME TO CELEBRATE WITH THE GOOD STUFF?  MEET MARLEY COFFEE!

WHERE TO FIND FREE COFFEE TODAY?  KEEP READING...  #NATIONALCOFFEEDAY

Happy National Coffee Day, Thursday, September 29!  Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and other national coffee chains across America have special deals all day!  If you are in NYC, Lavazza Coffee is free ALL DAY (with the purchase of a pastry) at Eataly Downtown NYC: 101 Liberty Street New York, NY 10006!  

Dunkin Donuts: Get any medium cup of coffee for just 66 cents in celebration of the chain's 66th anniversary, which falls on the coffee-themed holiday.

Krispy Kreme: Free coffee and an original glazed donut at any Krispy Kreme location.

McDonald's: Free small hot or iced McCafe coffee if you download the app.

Keurig.com: Time to stock up on K-Cups. Get 20 percent off select brands of K-Cup pods bought by using the code ‘GREENSAVINGS’ at checkout.

Stan’s Donuts: Free glazed donut with the purchase of a Stumptown Nitro Cold Brew.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea: Free medium drip coffee with any food purchase.

Target: Free tall hot brewed coffee at Target stores.

Caribou Coffee: Every time someone purchases a coffee at Caribou Coffee on National Coffee Day, the company will donate a free cup of coffee to caregivers and family members at cancer facilities and hospitals across the nation.

Bruegger's Bagels: Anyone who snaps a selfie with a Bruegger’s coffee cup and posts it with the hashtag #BrueggersMugShot and #Contest the chance to win unlimited free coffee for an entire year.

Starbucks: For every brewed cup of Mexico Chiapas coffee purchased, Starbuck's will donate a coffee tree to a farmer in need.

In the mood for a gourmet coffee fix today?  Stir it up with, Marley Coffee!

Bob Marley’s son, ROHAN, is the passionate founder of Marley Coffee.  The WANNA host, Gina Glickman Giordan, recently met Marley one on one for an exclusive interview at the grand opening of THE TIME HOTEL in Nyack, NY.  ROHAN told us how he got into the coffee making business and explains what makes MARLEY COFFEE some of the highest quality coffee to drink in the world!   Check out the interview with Rohan below! 

WATCH THE WANNA's exclusive interview with Rohan Marley at Time Hotel Nyack BELOW!

Receive 10% off any Marley Coffee online purchase right now!  

Ya Know You Wanna!

JULY 4TH INSPIRED COCKTAILS TO CELEBRATE OUR FREEDOM!

It's July 4th weekend people!  You know what that means!

Fireworks, live tunes and BBQs!  Americans don't need an excuse to party, but what better way to celebrate Independence Day, then with a festive cocktail!  THE WANNA has created the perfect list of fruity, bubbly, sweet and sour summer drinks that will help make any holiday celebration memorable!  Cheers!

Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com

RED, WHITE AND BLUE CHAMPAGNE

Tina Haupert/Health Magazine

Ingredients:

7 ounces of extra dry or brut champagne

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

1/2 ounce pomegranate juice

Fresh blueberries

Preparation:

Pour champagne into a glass. Add Grand Marnier and pomegranate juice. Garnish with fresh blueberries.

See full recipe here.

WATERMELON SPARKLER PUNCH

InStyle

Ingredients:

750 ml Nolet's Silver Dry Gin

750 ml bottles sparkling Sake (about 2½)

24 oz. Watermelon juice

375 ml Lemon juice

375 ml Agave nectar

Watermelon chunks

Preparation:

1. Add all ingredients, except Sake, to a punch bowl. Stir well to ensure agave liquefies with other contents (shake or blend agave and lemon juice together with ice if necessary).

2. Refrigerate to chill and top with sparkling sake prior to serving.

See full recipe at #7, here.

STAR-SPANGLED SANGRIA

Stephanie via Simply Swider

Ingredients:

pineapple

strawberries

blueberries

4 oz vodka

2 oz triple sec

1 bottle of white wine

2 oz of simply syrup

6 oz of sparkling wine

Preparation:

Mix the fruit with the vodka and triple sec and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. To get the star-shaped pineapple, trim the skin of the pineapple then slice it into large rounds. Then simply stick a metal star cookie cutter into the center of each round to cut out the shape.  You can put as little or as much fruit in as you want. For this particular recipe I loaded up on the fruit. When you are ready to serve the Sangria, mix the wine and simple syrup together then add in the fruit/liquor combo.  Top with the sparkling wine.  To serve, add ice to the bottom of a glass fill up the rest of the glass with fruit then pour the sangria on top and enjoy!

See full recipe here.

ALL-AMERICAN DAIQUIRI

Chilled Magazine

Ingredients:

2.25 oz Wild Shot Silver Mezcal

1 oz Coconut Rum

.25 oz Triple Sec

.25 oz Pineapple Juice

1 cup Piña Colada Mix

1 cup Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

1.25 cups Crushed Ice

Preparation:

In a blender with ice, add Wild Shot Silver, Malibu Rum, Triple Sec, pineapple juice and piña colada mix.  Blend until thick.  Pour half of blender in separate glass, then add Strawberry Daiquiri Mix to blender.  Blend until mixed and pour blended strawberry mix into mason jar.  Add the separate glass of blended product to the mason jar.

Garnish:

Blue Curacao, whipped cream, cherry.

See full recipe here.

FIRECRACKER PUNCH

Boulder Locavore

Ingredients:

3 cups Cherry Cider, naturally-flavored

1 cup Peach Nectar, naturally-flavored*

½ cup Lime Juice, freshly squeezed (approximately 4 limes)+

12 ounces Ginger Ale (1 can), chilled

50 Baking Cinnamon Imperials (about ¾ of a bottle; found with the baking supplies)

Lemon-infused Vodka

Preparation:

Combine the juice and cinnamon imperials.  Stir until the imperials have fully dissolved.  Add the Ginger Ale before serving.  Note: to speed up punch readiness, have juices chilled before combining with the rest of the ingredients.

 Add Lemon-flavored vodka (homemade or purchased).  One half ounce to one ounce per serving depending on serving size.

See full recipe here.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE STRAWBERRY JELLO SHOTS

Tablespoon

Ingredients:

50 extra-large strawberries (about 2 large cartons)

1 package (3 oz) Jell-O™ blue berry

1 cup water

2 envelopes (1.4 oz) unflavored powdered gelatin (about 2.5 teaspoons)

1/2 cup milk or cream or coconut milk

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup flavored (or plain) vodka, divided

Preparation:

Slice off the bottoms of the strawberries to allow them to stand upright. When you do so, make sure not to cut off so much that there is a hole—the slightest hole will make the gelatin leak out of the berries. Use a paring knife or small spoon to hollow out the strawberries as much as possible.

Place 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Add the blue gelatin and mix to combine the gelatin. Sprinkle 1 envelope of unflavored powdered gelatin on top, let sit for 60 seconds. Mix to combine and then turn on heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer and then remove from heat.

Pour half of the berry blue gelatin (1/2 cup) into a 1/2 cup of the vodka. Set aside.

Place 1/2 cup milk, cream or coconut milk into a medium saucepan. Sprinkle 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin on top and let sit for 60 seconds. Mix to combine and then turn on medium-high heat. Add 1/2-cup of sugar. Bring to a simmer and make sure that the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat.

Pour the white gelatin mixture into the remaining 1/2 cup of the vodka. Set aside at room temperature. Do not place somewhere cold, stir it every 10 minutes or so while you are on the next step.

Using a spoon, carefully pour the blue gelatin into the strawberries. Fill only halfway. Refrigerate for about 45-60 minutes or until the gelatin is semi-set (firm but still sticky).

Fill the rest of the hollowed strawberry with the white gelatin mixture. Refrigerate for at 3-4 hours.

When fully set, slowly slice each strawberry in half from the top down. Place them on mini sticks or skewers. Keep refrigerated until serving.

Trademarks referred to herein are the properties of their respective owners.

See full recipe here.

PATRIOTIC PANNA COTTA SHOOTERS

SprinkleBakes

Ingredients:

6 oz. grenadine syrup

1/2 tsp. powdered gelatin

1 tbsp. cold water

1 cup lite coconut milk

1/2 cup half and half

3 tbsp.  sugar

1 tsp. coconut extract

3 oz. blue curaçao

Wilton gold star edible glitter, or other star-shaped sprinkles

Preparation:

Pour 1 oz. of grenadine into six 3 oz. clear glasses.  Freeze grenadine solid, and keep glasses stored in freezer until panna cotta portion is ready.

In a small condiment cup, sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the cold water and let stand until absorbed. Set aside.

Combine the coconut milk, half and half and sugar in a saucepan.  Heat the mixture until just boiling. 

Microwave the gelatin mixture for 7-10 seconds, until melted and liquid.  Remove the milk mixture from heat source and whisk in melted gelatin. Add coconut extract. Allow mixture to cool significantly.

Remove glasses of frozen grenadine from freezer and very slowly pour in 2 oz. of cooled coconut panna cotta into each glass. A little red from the grenadine may bleed into the white panna cotta, but as it stands the red should settle back down to the bottom. Refrigerate glasses until panna cotta is set and grenadine layer has completely thawed. Just before serving pour over 1/2 oz. blue curaçao and sprinkle with edible star glitter.

See full recipe here.

Enjoy!

Ya Know You Wanna!

THE WANNA wants to hear from you!

What are your July 4th plans?