When the Farmers Hand You Loganberries...

While it is hard to argue with strawberries as the quintessential summer berry, there are many other berries out there that offer their own unique taste and provide something different for your cooking. Loganberries are one such summer berry, they aren't commonly found at your local grocers but are worth your time. Discovered in 1881, the Loganberry was formed by the accidental cross-pollination of a raspberry and blackberry. Loganberries take the best of both, with a delightful balance of sweet and tart.

    

We purchased our berries from the Palmas Heights Ranch at the Murrieta Sunday farmer's market (https://m.facebook.com/murrietafarmersmarket/).  Palmas Heights also sell their homemade jams and preserves which we have enjoyed even sell in the past. They also have some non-berry produce like their great tasting early California garlic.

Loganberries have the perfect texture and irresistible flavor for eating by themselves (which is how we enjoyed many of them) but they are also solid enough to hold up well in a pie. We made Sweet Apple and Loganberry Pie, it was simple and easy to make, taking less than an hour and using a basic crust. Here is how you can make one too.

To make 6 muffin tin size pies.

1/2 recipe of your favorite pie dough
(We used a hot water crust, not too sweet, easy and sturdy. An ideal crust for savory pies too.)

For the Filling:
2 Apples, peeled and finely sliced
2 tsp. Cinnamon
 1/2 tsp. Jamaican Allspice
1 Tbsp. fruity Balsamic Vinegar (Raspberry Balsamic is my favorite from my local farmers market.)
1/4 cup packed Light brown sugar
1/2 cup of water
1 to 2 Tbs. Flour, plus more for rolling out your pie dough.

1/4 pint Loganberries, plus extra for snacking as you bake.

Prepare the pie dough based on your recipes directions.

On the stove heat the apples, cinnamon, allspice, balsamic, brown sugar and water. Cook about 5 minutes or until the apples become soft. With a slotted spoon remove the apples from the liquid and set aside. Continue to cook the liquid  until it begins to reduce and thickens slightly. Add the flour and then add the apples back into the liquid. 

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until your crust becomes golden brown.

Some say there is nothing more American than Apple pie, but in fact pie has been enjoyed all around the world for longer than America has been in existence. So what is the most American thing? A strong case can be made for the old west, it's uniquely American, especially in how it was portrayed in classic Hollywood movies like those featuring John Wayne, who is one of the most recognizable figures in cinema history primarily because he embodied the American spirit in the old west. 1959's Rio Bravo features Wayne as a small town sheriff standing up against a corrupt rancher's gang and is a rip-roaring adventure to enjoy as you enjoy your loganberry pie.  -Z