Generally, I am not one to complain. Really. But when it comes to food, I want what I want. And, I can afford to have it.

Granted, I sacrifice in other areas - I drive a Cavalier, shop for clothes at Target, and rent my home. But food - well, there can be no compromise.

I don't really eat much fruit, despite health recommendations. To me, fruit is solidified sugar and water, with a bit of added tang for interest. I would much rather indulge in a bit of meat or a hunk of cheese, or even the dreaded carbs for a snack. But there are exceptions. For instance, I love Macintosh apples.

Not only do I love them - there are, indeed, no other apples that I will eat. Gala? Interesting, but too pear-like. Granny Smith? Too tart - may as well bite into a lemon. And the worst of the worst - oh, how I shudder to even think of it - Red Delicious. A misnomer if there ever was one. A mealy, sugary chore to consume - just simply horrible.

But the Macintosh - ah, there is a worthy apple! Perfect texture - not too crisp, not too mealy. Wonderful flavor - just tart enough with a hint of sweetness. And the contrast between the crisp skin and the soft interior at that first bite - apple nirvana, if you will. Yes, the Mac gets my vote every time.

The quandry here is that I live in Arizona. Yes, lucky me, it is November and the weather is clear and sunny, temps in the 80's. But, being officially autumn, the apples, a fall favorite, have hit the supermarkets by the bushel.

Well, that is to say - the OTHER apples. Not the ONE.

Imagine my chagrin upon finding, week after week, that Macintosh apples are not available seemingly anywhere. Yes, I would enter Fry's and Safeway and circle the designated apple table, at first expecting, and then only hoping, to see these bi-color beauties on display.

But no. No Macs, no way no how. What's a girl to do?

Enter AJ's. Known throughout the valley of the sun as THE premier (and of course, most expensive) market in town. Legendary for Prime grade beef, the freshest seafood, and a source of all kinds of flat-out weird stuff that you might need for one recipe and never use again. Like smoked paprika. Or tamarind.

Surely, I thought - they can help.

I approached the market somewhat self-consciously, noting the thin, well-dressed women with perfectly highlighted hair who emerged from within. Not my place? Well, I'll be damned if anyone will keep me from these apples! Flipping my cigarette butt to the curb, I strode through the doors and directly into the produce section.

I gasped audibly.

The Macs were there. Prominently displayed, with a sign. A perfectly stacked, shiny pyramid of juicy goodness. So artfully arranged that I hesitated to remove one. For a moment, I gazed at them. A shrine. An altar to appley perfection. And only $1.99 per pound.

With due reverence, I took a plastic bag, and a twist tie, and selected 4 perfect specimens. Giddy with joy, I decided to tour the rest of the store, perchance to dream.

My other craving of the day was duck confit - I managed to stump the deli counter with that one, and was feeling rather proud of that fact, until the meat manager directed me to "the duck section" - where I was able to purchase pre-roasted duckling halves for a mere $10.99 each. Damn. How can anyone resist?

Duck for dinner, Macs for dessert...hey, how do you like them apples?

Learn more about this author, Donna Schorer.
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