Wednesday, 13 November 2013

A wall of apples

It's a typically Dutch phenomenon, mentioned on nearly every 'things to do when you're in Amsterdam' list: draw a sticky, lukewarm snack from a snack wall. The wall consists of little tilting windows with coin slots next to them and a (usually fairly unappealing) meaty snack, made with plenty of offcuts and flour, displayed behind it. No wonder it hardly registers with foodies. They'd probably rather die than be seen eating from a wall...


The snack wall, however, has its moments. They usually involve a river of alcohol, though. It seems like just the right thing to turn to when (and only when) the world is spinning and you get a serious attack of the munchies.

So, when I drove across the tiny country roads of the Betuwe, the Dutch fruit growing region, I was shocked to find a wall there. Dodgily (but accurately) called a 'fruit machine', after stopping this indeed turned out to a machine dispensing fruit. An apple wall, if you like.


The Elstar apples that were on sale were freshly picked, crunchy and stone cold. They were by far the best apples I have eaten so far this season. I'll definitely be driving past it again next time I'm in the area. Somehow I fear it won't make the Amsterdam tourist guides though.


De Fruitautomaat, Rooijsestraat, Dreumel

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