As you may recall, I was lucky enough to be given a lot of apples. Well, we love apple butter and have been making up a bunch for ourselfs and to give as gifts. All my family back in West Virginia have let me know that they expect some apple butter when we come back for Thanksgiving, so I have been busy.
First you need apples (Free ones will always taste better)
We for some reason or another we don't have a food mill. I can hardly belive it myself, but we don't, so I had to peel all those apples. Like nearly all of my reciepes this one came from here. Lucky we found this really cool apple peeler at a yardsale this summer for 25 cents. Best Quarter I ever spent.
We for some reason or another we don't have a food mill. I can hardly belive it myself, but we don't, so I had to peel all those apples. Like nearly all of my reciepes this one came from here. Lucky we found this really cool apple peeler at a yardsale this summer for 25 cents. Best Quarter I ever spent. Place apple on top.
Start turning the hand crank.
And you have a neatly peeled apple. These are much faster than peeling by hand but the best part is that it wastes none of the apple. All you get is a very thin peel.
The most important part of making apple butter is having a good helper. Katie is testing the apples to make sure we use only the finest in our apple butter.
Me, happily at work.
Cut the apples into slices and cook until soft.
It's gonna look something like this. Cook in a crokpot over night. It gets darker as it cooks.
Start turning the hand crank.
And you have a neatly peeled apple. These are much faster than peeling by hand but the best part is that it wastes none of the apple. All you get is a very thin peel.
The most important part of making apple butter is having a good helper. Katie is testing the apples to make sure we use only the finest in our apple butter.
Me, happily at work.
Cut the apples into slices and cook until soft.
It's gonna look something like this. Cook in a crokpot over night. It gets darker as it cooks.
12 comments:
:) really still here... got a post being composed in my head. It involves a giant hole in the foundation. Need pictures this weekend to really drive it home though lol
We got a pressure cooker! I was thinking of you when it arrived.
We've never made apple butter - it looks awesome!
I have to agree... free apples definitely taste better! $0.25? Man, you get some good deals. :)
Ron
Hey, where is your apron?? Looks good, smart family requesting some of your great canning!
Cute helper too!
Yum! I love apple butter! Looks delicious! I have an overnight crockpot recipe that I love, too. After I peel apples (and oranges) I dry the peels and then stick them in a pot with cinnamon and cloves and water and it makes the best smelling potpourri. (Just and FYI since you're using up lots of apples. :-)) Gen--IL Homesteader
We spent $20 on a peeler and I was pretty happy with that...I bet you are proud of $0.25! The apple butter looks great...I definitely need to try it...we made our apples into cider and applesauce and jelly this year. I may try to find osme more b/c this looks so good!
Wow, that looks great-- another skill, and more food in the pantry! If I just made it without canning it, how long would it last? Love the pictures!
Lisa, glad to know you are still around and ok. Way to go on the canner. The best thing I ever bought for sure.
Ron, I only deleted the double post. I guess you hit submit twice. haha!! The apple butter is great, a lot of work but well worth it.
MOH, Gonna have to get me an apron, maybe something like "Kiss the Canner" lol Canning up the family some goodies for the next visit. I couldn't do it with out my little helper.
Gen, The crockpot is great for apple butter. Gonna save my next batch of peels and try the smell good thing. lol
Warren, I am still lusting over that apple press you made, too cool. That was a great deal on the peeler, new it's around $20, just got lucky......again. You got to make some apple butter buddy.
Marie, You can make the apple butter and then just put it in the fridge, will last for a few months I guess. It just doesn't last long around here though. To can it you just but the jar in boiling water for about 10 mins. Just make sure the jars have atlest an inch of water over the top of them. You have to make some for your storage. Nothing beats the sweet stuff.
Thank you all for your comments, I always love to hear from you.
Chris
That looks sooooo good! You definitely have the cutest little helper!!!
That looks like a really handy peeler--a spinoff from the cast iron ones our "grands" had. I'll have to think about getting one myself.
Uh, where's the recipe? I have one that my mom used, and it is good! My daughter and I made a batch last year and I can't believe I haven't made any this year.
As for your question about hens not laying for a while. I have a few theories for you: 1) they are getting ready to moult 2) the diminishing daylight may be affecting them 3) some kind of sickness 4) stress from something (roosters, predators scaring them, to name a few)
Keep us posted!
Don, check out http://www.pickyourown.org/applebutter.htm
for the recipe for apple butter.
Thanks for the info on my hens. Not sure what the probplem is but atleast I know what to check for now.
Thanks,
Chris
Love your blog.
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