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Farm Kitchen:  How to use up the last of the apples  |
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Cozynana
True Blue Farmgirl
1123 Posts
Kem
1123 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 20 2016 : 6:32:13 PM
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| I still have some apples I picked last month I need to do something with. What have you done with the last of the apples? |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2016 : 05:30:47 AM
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Kem, you can dry apple slices and use them all year long in all sorts of recipes, can batches of apple sauce, can apple pie filling, and apple butter. These canned goods will serve you well all year long and perfect for gift giving this holiday season as well.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3957 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3957 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2016 : 1:32:17 PM
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If you have a few apples which are not good for anything else, consider making apple cider vinegar out of them. Just cut them up, put them in a bowl and cover them with good, filtered water. Set them out with a towel over them and let it sit a couple days or until it smells and tastes right. Strain out the solids and bottle.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2016 : 6:18:04 PM
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Hi Kem -
I made applesauce and canned apples in syrup instead of making the pie filling. I took the advice of some of our farmgirl sisters in canning the apples and they were right: the apples in syrup are much more versatile than canned filling, and it's super easy to add some clear jel to thicken it for pies. The rest I dehydrated, like Winnie said. I like to add them to the jar of canned apples for pies (adding a little clear jel for thickening). The syrup will soak into the dried apples and then you've got yourself one heck of a wonderfully thick, fresh-tasting pie! We also use the dehydrated apples for snacking, although my guys would eat every last one in one sitting if I didn't watch over them! Be careful! They go quickly!!! LOL! I also chop up dried apples and use them in cake, muffins, stuffing, crisps (again, with the apples in syrup), etc. The one thing I've found about dehydrated apples is that for dishes they are much better when re-hydrated with some really good cider or apple juice - it just adds more flavor, but it isn't necessary. My favorite thing about them, though, is that they use so little space in storage... and they taste so darned good!
Note: Unsweetened applesauce is an excellent substitute for oils or other fats in baking... It's always a good idea to can up a little extra specifically for that purpose! I made some banana nut muffins this past weekend substituting the applesauce for butter, and the only difference was that they were a little more springy.. and probably could've used a pinch more salt!
I love CJ's idea for apple butter! Remember: you can can that, too! YUM! So good scooped up with soda crackers!
And Marie's suggestion of vinegar is a great idea! I have used just the apple cores and peels to make it, but I'm sure it's even better and will ferment even more quickly if you're using the whole apple! I do dissolve a little sugar to the water (warm water), though, to help the fermentation along. Maybe you don't have to do that when you're using the entire fruit, though?
I have also "candied" apple peel, but you can definitely candy apple rings as well... Just cook it in a medium to heavy syrup then allow to dry - very yummy! You can always add food coloring to make it look more festive, too!
Which reminds me: If you like spiced apple rings from a jar, that would be a great canning option, too!
You can also grate the apples to dehydrate them, then add some spices and store in a jar to use later for an apple tea - either by itself, like a hot cider, or mixed with your favorite loose black or green tea. You can use a metal tea strainer, or, if you prefer, your grocery store should have little disposable tea bag-type filters in the tea aisle. These are similar to the ones I recently purchased at our local store: https://www.amazon.com/Filter-Bags-Disposable-Infuser-Filters/dp/B010RV810W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1479780193&sr=8-4&keywords=tea+bag . I have a tea strainer, but with some teas, I simply prefer the little bags. Since dried apples would expand greatly in hot water, I think the tea bag might work better.
Finally, have you ever thought of making those cool old-fashioned dried apple face dolls? I have never done that, but it has always been something I've wanted to try! If you're overloaded with apple goodness, what fun that might be to try!
I don't think you can ever have too many apples... or pumpkin, for that matter... do you? Have fun! Wish I could be there to share in your fun!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Nov 21 2016 6:21:47 PM |
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Cozynana
True Blue Farmgirl
1123 Posts
Kem
1123 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2016 : 02:13:12 AM
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| Thanks for all the good ideas. I should be able to get them used up. |
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Farm Kitchen: How to use up the last of the apples |
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How to use up the last of the apples
