Fun and easy ways to use all those fall apples.
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I love fall! There is nothing as wonderful as waking up to the low-lying fog in the morning, the chilly afternoon rains, the smell of snow in the evening air, finally being able to light that fireplace. Ahh! Everything about fall just seems cozy and beautiful.
Fall isn’t just a beautiful time of year that allows me to break out my comfy sweaters though. I also love it because it’s when we eat! It must be an innate behavior coded into our brains from our ancestors tens of thousands of years before us. When resources became harder to come by in the colder months our ancestors had to bulk up to survive. I think we still try to do this :)
We have spent the last few months attending farmers’ markets and pulling in the harvest. There are pumpkins, squash, carrots, peas, apples…….everywhere. Here where we live, though unlikely, apples grow very well. If you are like me then you might have bushels of them picked and staring at you. Yeah, an apple a day can supposedly keep the doctor away, but even with a family of five, there is no way we can use them all before they go bad. How then do we use or preserve them for the following months?
In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite ways to use apples that aren’t time-consuming and can actually be fun.
Apple butter
Apple chips
Apple fruit roll-ups
Help out some others
For these recipes, you will need a dehydrator. Although you can use your oven as well. If you are preserving as much as I do each year though, a dehydrator can be a great investment. We use it for fruits, veggies, snacks, even Jerky after hunting season. This is the one I have. I have had it for almost 8 years and I have loved it. What I like most about it is I only have to use the number of treys I actually need. This means a shorter drying time for smaller batches. I can also add treys for larger projects like drying herbs or making jerky.
You may also want a pressure cooker or canning system to properly seal any jars you hope to store for a long period of time. I’m told you can use the instant pot to do this as well but I have never tried that. (I’ll get back to you when I do) Here is our pressure cooker.
Now that we know what equipment I use, let’s get started with apple butter. One of my absolute favorites. This recipe will fill about 8 small jars. You will need;
Six pounds of peeled and cored apples
2 cups of sweet apple cider
3 cups of sugar (or you can substitute honey)
1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of clove
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
On the stove combine your apples and cider and bring them to a boil until the apples are soft. Once soft and cooled a bit, use a blender or food processor to puree the mixture. Be careful not to blend too long. You don’t want to liquefy them, just get a nice consistent texture. Then, combine the mixture with the sugar and spices. Return to the stove and boil over medium heat, string frequently, until it thickens and holds its shape.
Now for the canning part.
Make sure your lids and jars are clean and sterilized. Pour the hot butter into your jars about leaving about a 1/4 an inch at the top. Remove any trapped air by lightly tapping the jars on a flat surface to settle the butter. Then place your lids on your jars and tighten just until you feel resistance. Place them in your pressure cooker or canner and cover with water. Bring to a boil for about 10 minutes. Then vent the pressure, remove the lid, and let sit for a few minutes. remove the jars and let them cool. You may hear the lids suck down and seal as the temperature changes. Once cool tighten the lids the rest of the way and store.
Apple chips
This one is so easy and we love to use these for school snacks. Peel, core, and thinly slice your apples. Then, in a bowl lightly coat them in a cinnamon and sugar blend. Then, lay them out in one layer on your dehydrator trays or baking sheets. Dry for 4 to 10 hours depending on how chewy or crispy you like them. To dry in the oven bake at 200 to 250 degrees for 4 hours or until they reach the texture you like.
Apple fruit rollups.
Another easy favorite and fun snack. Prepare your apples just like we did for the other recipes. Puree them with a bit of water or apple juice. Again don’t liquefy them completely. You want a nice texture. I like to add a bit of cinnamon and a tiny bit of honey to the mix as well. Then lightly grease or butter the “leathering tray” of your dehydrator or place wax paper on your baking sheet. Pour the mixture over the tray and even it out with a spoon. Then dry at 140 degrees for up to 8 hours. Depending on your elevation times can vary, so check it periodically to see if you have reached the right texture. Then, cut into servings and roll in plastic wrap. Store in a container in the fridge.
Still, have more apples than you can use?
It never hurts to share! Did you know in every town the firehouse is connected to local shelters, youth programs, and families in need? Take apples there and they always seem to know who may benefit most from them. There is always someone in need especially this time of year. By connecting through your local police or fire department you can help in a safe and secure way.
I hope this helped you use up a few of those apples cluttering up your countertop. Looking for more great recipes? check out the Apple lovers cookbook for great ideas and yummy treats.
What are your favorite ways to use apples. Share with us in the comments. Happy harvest everyone!
