Local Saturday - Grape Pie Season

I am not going to be anywhere near Naples, New York this weekend for their Grape Festival.  I can not lie, it is too crowded for me.

But that didn't prevent my spouse and I from being in Naples this Tuesday, because the concord grapes are ripe and ready for the eating and pie making.

That's right.  Grape pies. I love them and I can't lie.  Don't laugh if you've never had one.  And don't tell my Weight Watchers leader..um, coach...what I've been up to.

I live only an hour or so from one of the Finger Lakes, and almost no one here has had a grape pie.  They are a true regional specialty, taking a lot of work to make (although you can get premade pie filling for them in the Naples area, in addition to the pies.)


Monica's Pies in Naples, some say, makes the best grape pies.  Actually, they make a number of different pies, depending on the season - apple, cherry, and even quiches (they are delicious) and chicken pot pies.  (I've not had them).

But their fame is based on grape pies, which they carry all year round.

Their theme color (no surprise) is purple.

More purple.

Let's take a walk up her driveway.

When you walk into her store it smells like grape jelly heaven.  There are lot of pies to choose from, plus T-shirts, grape soap (yes) and other grape related products.

Your grape pie choice is small or large, pastry top or crumble top.  We chose both a small pie and a large, and a crumble top.

And no, I'm not sharing.

Grape pie recipe? You'd better be an experienced pie baker and be able to set aside a lot of time.

Me? Maybe one year I'll brave it and attend the festival.

Happy grape eating!