How do you like them apples?
B. and I tackled the apple tree in the front yard today. I intended on just picking up all the fallen apples, but it was a beautiful crisp and sunny October afternoon, which led us both to get a little carried away. B. got out the ladder and I climbed the tree so that we could pick the ripe apples near the top. (I haven't climbed a tree in years). Four bags of apples later, we went inside very satisfied.
I thought that would be the end of our little apple adventure, but we decided to find some recipes for apple cider. We decided on rum-spiced cider made with dark rum, cinnamon sticks, real cloves, and allspice berries (Cooking for the Weekend by Michael McLaughlin, 1994). The whole process was so much fun and the end product was incredible, better than any apple cider I’ve ever had. (Maybe it was the combination of Jamaican rum and melted butter?)
The bad news is making apple cider can be quite messy. Oh, and I still have more than three bags full of apples. Even if I make all the cider, apple pies, and apple butter I could possibly use, I will still have more than I know what to do with, not to mention a tree covered with apples...
Want any?
I thought that would be the end of our little apple adventure, but we decided to find some recipes for apple cider. We decided on rum-spiced cider made with dark rum, cinnamon sticks, real cloves, and allspice berries (Cooking for the Weekend by Michael McLaughlin, 1994). The whole process was so much fun and the end product was incredible, better than any apple cider I’ve ever had. (Maybe it was the combination of Jamaican rum and melted butter?)
The bad news is making apple cider can be quite messy. Oh, and I still have more than three bags full of apples. Even if I make all the cider, apple pies, and apple butter I could possibly use, I will still have more than I know what to do with, not to mention a tree covered with apples...
Want any?
posted by Elizabeth at 9:51 PM
3 Comments:
I just got back from walking the dog, forgot to take water, remembered that I had your apples in the back -- and ate one. It was delicious. Can I come pick some more?
Walk? I thought you were sick (from me no less)?
Please come and take as many as you’d like. I may take you up on the offer to show me how to make apple sauce and apple butter...Or, maybe you could have an Urban Jam revival?
I don't know about the Urban Jam revival, but you can start prepping anytime, and then I'll show up with my canning supplies.
SO.
You will need to get sugar, whatever spices you want, and a flat of canning jars with lids. Also, it's much easier to make apple butter with a crockpot. (You don't have to worry about burning)
Chop up a whole bunch of apples (no need to take off skin), but do chop out the core. This makes it easier. I
Put in a large pot. Fill with a few inches of water. Simmer on the stove until very soft.
Then call me and I'll come over with my pressy sievy thing to mush and my canning pot and rack. From there we can either can as apple sauce. Or you can throw in the crockpot for 8-12 hours and can as apple butter.
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