Kent Pyne, farmer and seller for Pyne Farms in Santaquin, is back at the Wednesday Park City Farmers Market with all things apples.
This year, apple season began around Aug. 10, says Pyne, and with a late summer start, his apple cider slushies ($6) are fitting for the last of the heat. Bringing these treats back to the market for a third year, Pyne makes his slushies on site, pouring his home-made apple cider into a machine that freezes it in minutes.
The cider is made with a mix of apples, crafted to balance sweet and tart flavors.
“The more different flavors you can get, the better the outcome’s going to be,” says Pyne.
A shopper next to me, purchasing a slushie for herself, chimes in: “It’s really good! Sweet, but really good.”
Trying for myself, I had to agree. I was startled by the nostalgic taste of fresh apple sauce, as the slushie texture mimicked the thicker texture of my childhood snack. It was nice to sip on, and the coldness helped temper the sugar rush.
Aside from cider slushies, Pyne has plenty of other apple products for sale, like apple butter, apple barbecue sauce, jugs of cider and jars of apple sauce. And of course, you can buy fresh apples from them too.
“We’ll pick apples this year until about the beginning of November,” says Pyne. Then, with the help of cold storage, he can sell the fruit at winter markets and to school districts. “I grow about 30 different kinds. Honeycrisp is a popular one, Fuiji, Granny Smith, Crimson Crisp, Galas,” he adds, gesturing to a carton of gala apples on the table.
Catch Pyne every Wednesday to try a cider slushie for yourself. He and his apples will be at the market through the end of the season.