Cricket Song Farm

Cricket Song Farm

Friday, November 6, 2015

Apples, Apples, Apples

Hopefully you were able to harvest apples this fall.  If you do not grow your own, seek out farmers in your area who grow organically.  The following recipe suggestions use unpeeled apples.


Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a cast iron skillet.  Add several unpeeled, apples  chopped into large pieces.  Add  1 tablespoon of water and 1/2 cup of raw or brown sugar.  Cook until apples are soft. This is a good recipe to use cellar apples that are going soft. 



Serve over home-made whole wheat pancakes add a drizzle of pure maple syrup.  YUMM!!!!
Here's a hint for making the store bought pancake batter taste like home-made.  For every cup of pancake mix add 1 cup of whole wheat flour.  Add an egg and buttermilk, you can use soured  milk , or try this, add 2 Tbs. vinegar per 1 cup milk, adding the vinegar will make it curdle.  Cook on a hot cast iron griddle for best results,

BOTTLED APPLES

 I use smaller apples for bottling.  Simply cut unpeeled apples in quarters.  Remove the core and seeds.  Cook until heated in a large kettle adding just enough syrup (water/sugar ratio) to keep them from sticking to the bottom. When thoroughly heated through, place in quart jars and add your favorite heated syrup mix.  I  use a light syrup mixture.  Process in a hot water bath canner according to the time recommended for peaches.  These apples are great right out of the jar, or heat them with a splash of the bottled juice for a quick pancake topping, we also enjoy blending them lightly in a food processor to make a chunky applesauce.  Add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Freeze the syrup from your bottled fruits in Popsicle molds or ice cube trays for a refreshing snack, try adding the cubes to smoothies.
When raising my family, over a 1000 quarts of produce would be bottled every year.  I found that leaving the peelings on Pears, Nectarines, and Apples saved so much time.  (purchase/use only organic, un-sprayed fruit)  My kids didn't know that bottled Pears were peeled before bottling until they went away to college!

This is the best apple pie you will ever eat!

GRANNY CRICKET'S
APPLE PIE

Make your favorite pie crust recipe and place in a 9 inch pie pan.
 (I prefer ceramic or glass pans)
Core and slice apples, but do not peel! (use un-sprayed)
In a large bowl place apples, 4 heaping tbs. flour, about 1/2 cup brown sugar, a tsp. of cinnamon and 5 Tbs. butter cut into small pieces.  Stir well until apples are coated.  
 Now add a handful or two of  Walnut halves, crush slightly before adding.  I also add some raisins.  Pour apples into the pie pan,  I fill it high above the rim.  Place pie shell over top, crimp edges, and cut vent holes.  Wash the crust with an egg white mixed with a bit of water and sprinkle sugar over top.  Bake until crust is golden, about 40 mins. at 350.











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