Pic courtesy of 2CookinMamas |
So, what have I been doing with all those apples (besides just eating them) since I moved in at the beginning of October? Not enough to keep up!!
Apples in the dehydrator |
2. Roasting - I've been roasting the tart apples alongside onions, sweet potatoes, carrots and a variety of meats like chicken and beer soaked brats (Oktoberfest!). I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of roasted apples, but I'm sure I'll keep trying. I think next time I'll add them later in the roasting time so they are not as squishy.
3. Canning - Next week I'll be making and canning apple butter in the slow cooker. I haven't done it yet because I haven't yet had the gumption to peel, core and cut 6+ pounds of apples.
4. Baking - In an effort to use up some apples, I embarked on making an apple cake last week. It didn't use up as many apples as I would have liked, but it was very good nonetheless! I'm planning on baking a Dutch Apple Pie this Friday, which I'm looking forward to!
Apples! |
6. Finishing of the hogs - My friends (and ex-next-door-neighbors from Seattle) now own a small farm in Ellensburg. Among their many animals are four pigs that they are finishing on apples and other fruits. They've been making a weekly trip to come and grab all the dropped fruit from my yard, my next door neighbor and my boyfriend's apple trees. In exchange, I've been getting eggs from their chickens. There seems to be an imbalance in this deal, but I'm not going to point it out!
What's your favorite way to use apples?
Applesauce. Seems boring, but with fresh apples, yummy. We bought a box in Pullman years ago and I just cut, cored and cooked the apples. Then put them through my old fashioned sieve and added sugar as needed. I don't think any, depending on the type of apple. We ate bowls and bowls of it. And my ex-ther-in-law used to put those tiny. red hearts in applesauce. So sweet!!
ReplyDeleteI used to can a ton of applesauce, but no one really ate it. Which is why I'm going the apple butter route this year. I know at least one person who likes it (my boyfriend)! The tiny red hearts - are they the cinnamon ones? I think I've seen recipes for it. Sounds tasty! And almost worth giving it a whirl, although I'd probably just crock pot it and not can it. I can't imagine it would last long :)
ReplyDeleteI have done the slow cooker apple butter and it works a treat.
ReplyDeleteI also like to make apple pie filling with clear jel. There are so many ways to use that during the year.
I've done the apple pie filling as well. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteIf you have an old fashioned food mill, you can just throw the quartered apples into the crock pot seeds, peels and all. Once they're all mushy, run through the mill and then continue to cook down to the consistency you like.
ReplyDeleteChris made the Easy One Bowl Apple Cake today - easy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteNice work @Chris!
ReplyDelete