Concord Grape Muffins

Oh, well hello there, September! I didn't even notice you waltz in. I've been so distracted by the close of summer. 

August was just delightful this year, wasn't it? Full of friends, old and new (including one really new friend - - like, barely 1 month old new.)

(clockwise from top left) VA & Anderson at Emma Lou's Cafe in Louisville, KY;
AML & EDB at Pie Sisters in Georgetown (DC);
MC at the Bloomington, IN Farmers' Market;
S & Frances at Northside Social in Arlington, VA

But now that you're here, September, I suggest you pull up a chair and make yourself useful. I see you brought some Concord grapes from Grandpa Batman's garden. Wonderful. Grab a pairing knife, start cutting out those seeds, and let's see what we can do with these . . .

Confession: I ate five of these in one sitting.

Concord Grape Muffins

yields 12 delightful muffins

2 c flour

1/2 c. sugar

1 T baking powder (yes, tablespoon)

1/4 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

zest of one lemon

6 T butter

1/2 t vanilla

1 c milk

1 c Concord grapes, seeded**

coarse sugar, for sprinkling

-Preheat oven to 400. 
-Mix dry ingredients, including zest.
-Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender.
-Add vanilla & milk. Stir gently until just mixed.
-Carefully fold in seeded grapes.
-Divide evenly into muffin tins; sprinkle with sugar (if using).

**Seeding Concord grapes takes forever. Pull up a chair, and be warned that grapes can have anywhere from 1-4 seeds, so you need to pay attention. Also . . . Concord grapes are incredibly delicious, so you'll probably end up eating 2 grapes for every one grape that you seed. Factor in your own will power when planning both the number of grapes you'll need and the time it will take to seed them . . .