Fall family fun, grown in CNY

from Syracuse Woman Magazine - October 2021

learns to trust again

Jennifer Wing

There’s always plenty to do in Central New York in the fall – with fall festivals and apple picking, as well as wineries, cideries and breweries throwing open their doors for tastings, live music and other events.

But let’s get down to the meat of the autumn season – pumpkin picking and the activities surrounding those orange globes of goodness. From Cazenovia to Camden, Marietta to Manlius, pumpkins seem to reign the region in autumn.

And so it should be. There’s nothing like packing up the family and heading out to search through the tangle of vines for that perfectly-sized and shaped orb, still warm from the sun, then bringing it home to suit your various fall fun needs – whether to decorate a front porch, serve as a (safely done) basis for your family’s Jack-O-Lantern carving contest or to create a delicious filling for that traditional fall favorite - pumpkin pie. You can even try the recipe below for roasted pumpkin seeds - a simple, delicious snack.

Even the car ride to the pumpkin patch is pleasant, as it is usually taken through winding roads lined by trees with leaves of gold, crimson and every shade of SU’s athletic teams’ signature color imaginable.

The smell and crunch of the leaves beneath your feet, the breeze that shakes the branches overhead and the sound of the children laughing as they run through the rows – all meld together in a kaleidoscope that harks back to a simpler time, with a basic goal of picking the perfect pumpkin that can only be found after a thorough search and careful consideration.

These farms aren’t just about pumpkins, either – there are other attractions, such as hayrides, pet-able animals, food, refreshments and corn mazes to keep the fun going, even after you’ve made your “pick.” Included below is a list of local farms that have many such activities – give them a call or visit their websites for hours, directions and other details.

In this age of technology, which seems to divide family time into moments between binge watching television shows or checking cell phones for notifications, this oasis of family togetherness is special, priceless, necessary even, a reminder of what is important and vital in our lives – the connections we make with each other by sharing the simple things – moments when we put that technology aside and enjoy time with those we love.

Ah, bliss ... that time when, for an hour or two, the family is together, just enjoying the outdoors and each other’s company. You can’t put a price tag on that kind of memory, so therefore, pound for pound, that pumpkin you picked is priceless. SWM

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Ingredients 1 ½ cups raw whole pumpkin seeds 2 tsp butter, melted 1⁄8 tsp salt Directions Preheat oven to 300°F. Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.

WHERE TO GO:

CNY pumpkin patches, farms

Abbott Farms 3275 Cold Springs Road Baldwinsville 315-638-7783 abbottfarms.com

Cicero "Pumkin" Patch 7169 Island Road, Cicero 315-699-2200 ciceropumkinpatch.com

Critz Farms 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia 315-662-3355 info@critzfarms.com critzfarms.com Navarino Orchard 3655 Cherry Valley Tpke. Syracuse 315-673-9181 Facebook.com/NavarinoOrchard-94081824018/

Our Farm 1590 Peth Road, Manlius 315-655-8453 jimmygolub@aol.com our-farm.squarespace.com

Springside Farm 1850 Route 91, Fabius 315-683-5860 springsidefarm.net springsidefarm@aol.com Tim's Pumpkin Patch 2901 Rose Hill Rd., Marietta 315-673-9209 Erica@timspumpkinpatch.com timspumpkinpatch.com

The Pumpkin Hollow 3735 W. Seneca Tpke, Syracuse 315-200-4888

info@thepumpkinhollow.com thepumpkinhollow.com

Will’s Cackleberry Castle Pumpkin Farm 1175 Hillsboro Rd,, Camden 315-245-0104 cackleberrycastle.com