Half of the Apples Put up...
I can't believe this is only half of the apples in the previous picture. Plus, there are so many more apples on the trees, we'll probably never be able to get them all.
James promised me that later this evening, he'll pick some more from the bucket truck, since we can't reach them otherwise.
I'm not sure if I'm going to have room in the freezer for all of it, with all the blueberries, okra, and other stuff that has been put in it (and there's no chance of being able to do Once a Month Cooking for a while! lol) ...might have to can some for apple pies. Any ideas?
James promised me that later this evening, he'll pick some more from the bucket truck, since we can't reach them otherwise.
I'm not sure if I'm going to have room in the freezer for all of it, with all the blueberries, okra, and other stuff that has been put in it (and there's no chance of being able to do Once a Month Cooking for a while! lol) ...might have to can some for apple pies. Any ideas?
Apple ideas - We just recently did canned applesauce (apples, water, cinnamon), canned apple pie filling, and apple peel jelly. We also dehydrated apple slices. All in all, we did 150 lbs. of apples. ;0)
Tera (mommy to the Wolf Pack)
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Hi Bethany,
How about apple fritters? Yummm!
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Hi, Bethany! I love your blog! You give me energy!! Though not near as much as you must have! I always put up applesauce from my apples...sometimes I canned it, but more than not, I made it, popped it into freezer containers and pulled it out when I wanted it! It was always so good!
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Wow! You have been productive, as usual! I wonder if you've considered getting a large dehydrator? I have a nice one with sliding trays that I've had for over twenty years, and I know that your little ones would enjoy dried apples. They don't take up freezer space, either! I've made them plain, or topped with cinamon. For a festive holiday look, sprinkle red and green jello on them!
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Do you have a dehydrator? If not, you can always borrow one from a friend. We did this in the past and returned it with a "share" of the dried fruit. We make apple sauce, apple butter, apple juice, and apple jelly all of which we can. Dried apples really are great as they take up so little space and can be used in so many ways. We use ours to make fritters, pancakes, muffins, cook with pork roast, dried apple cake, add to cookies, granola, eat plain (and the list goes on.) Can you tell we dehydrate a lot?
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I always LOVED homemade apple butter!
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Bethany, you are a wonder! Applesauce with cinnamon would be my suggestion. I can't remember if you've already done applesauce. Our kids love it. I'd also suggest that you consider opening up your orchard for a pick your own next year. You could probably bring in a tidy sum that way and it would eliminate you having to either pick to death or let some of them rot.
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Tera, that is just awesome!! Way to go!!
Janet, I'm going to have to look up Apple Fritters. I've heard a few other ladies mention them but I don't actually know what they are!
Jan, thanks! I'll have to buy some containers so I can do that as well.
Ginny and Peggy, I'm going to ask my parents in law if I can borrow their dehydrator! My dehydrator tray for outdoors works okay, but it's not nearly as quick as the store bought ones would be. Plus, it's been humid and rainy outside lately.
Sandi, thanks! I love apple butter too, and put away a bunch...I think I probably should make more.
Kim, thanks for the idea. I should have probably done that this year, but am planning to definitely do it next year, especially if we have a harvest like this year again!
Thanks again everyone, for your ideas!!!
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We have an apple tree in our backyard. It seems to have more apples than normal this year.
I'd go with apple sauce. I love apple sauce! yum!
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We can up lots of applesauce - both mush(regular) and chunky (take the apples from the peeler/corer and cook with some water then add sugar and can). My kids love to help mush the apples in a sieve. My family especially likes the chunky version though. To use up the plentiful supply that we have I also take the mush applesauce and add to my cake or quick bread recipes for half or more of the oil. It doesn't change the consistency that much and makes them healthier - also its almost free.
Canned apple pie filling also is good. We use it as a topping on pancakes or oatmeal sometimes.
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I've never commented before, but I love your blog! My family loves this recipe...we use it in apple crisps (everyone says my apple crisps are the best--it's because I use apple pie in a jar!), apple cobblers, over ice cream, in apple pie, or just heated up in the oven for dessert. It's fabulous!
Apple Pie in a Jar (makes 7 quarts)
Syrup:
4 and 1/2 cups sugar
1 Cup corn starch
2 tsp cinniman
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
10 cups water (I used distilled)
3 Tbls lemon juice
Peel and slice apples. Fill jars tightly with apples. Cook syrup until thick and bubbley. Add Lemon Juice. Pour over apples in jar. Boil in a water bath for 20 minutes.
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