Find the Taste and Tales of Massachusetts at Orchard House in Concord, MA

Orchard House was the home of author Louisa May Alcott.  The house is most noted for being where she wrote and set her beloved classic, Little Women, in 1868 at a "shelf desk" her father built especially for her.  Approximately 80% of the furnishings on display were owned by the Alcotts, the rooms look very much as they did when the family lived there, causing many modern-day visitors to comment that, "A visit to Orchard House is like a walk through Little Women!"

Our cookbook, the Taste and Tales of Massachusetts is available at the Orchard House Museum Store.  This weekend there will be holiday festivities at the House, "A Little Women Christmas at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House"

French Apple Pie

 6      large apples - 2 each                                    MacIntosh,  Cortlands and                            Granny Smith  

1/2   teaspoon cinnamon                        

1/2  teaspoon nutmeg                               

1      cup sugar                                               

        pinch  sea salt 

 1     tablespoon flour                                      

 3/4 cup raisins tossed with 1 tablespoon  flour

1. In pie shell arrange alternate layers of apples, sugar,spices, and raisins.  Cover top with thin pastry.
2. Slash top in several places and seal edges.
3. Bake 60-70 at 350° until pastry is golden.
4. Top with confectioners sugar mixed with water.

Optional:  Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries before covering pie.