September’s Featured Farmer - Eplegaarden Apples

September in Wisconsin means apples, and this month we’re featuring one of Chef Dave’s favorite local farms — Eplegaarden in Fitchburg.

Just a few minutes south of Madison, Eplegaarden has been a local fall tradition for decades. The farm got its start when Vern and Betty Forest began planting thousands of apple trees in the 1980s and ’90s, adding a little Norwegian character along the way. Today, Eplegaarden continues to grow an incredible variety of apples, along with pumpkins and other seasonal produce.

And the apples are really, really good.

For our September menu, we’re using several varieties as they come into season, including Zestar, McIntosh, Ginger Gold, and Paula Red, and working them into the meal in both savory and sweet ways.

We start with Smoked Trout over a seared polenta cake with shaved apple and arugula, followed by Fried Montrachet with apple butter and cranberry chutney. The entrée is Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with butternut squash cream, roasted Brussels sprouts, and apple slaw, and dessert is a warm Apple Crumble made with Eplegaarden apples and ginger-vanilla whipped cream.

The four-course meal is $50, and each course is also available à la carte.

And because September apples deserve a cocktail, we’re also featuring the Apple Of My Rye, made with Slow & Low rye whiskey, allspice dram, fresh apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, and clove.

As always, our featured specials at St. Charles Station are gluten-free as prepared, with vegetarian substitutions available for each course.

Eplegaarden is one of those places that makes us happy to cook in Wisconsin. We hope you’ll come out and enjoy what they’re growing while apple season is at its best.

Can’t wait to see you soon!

The dinner is available for carry out as well - order on-line here.