Fall means many things for our family. It means the beginning of the holiday season, but it's also the end of the growing season here on the farm. That means harvesting and preserving all of the food we've grown through the summer. I've preserved strawberries for freezer jam, blackberries from down the road, cherry tomatoes for sauces and soups, but now we move onto apples. The apple trees here on the farm are still very young, producing just a small crop of apples for us to enjoy. Thankfully, I have a neighbor down the road who is more than happy to share his apple harvest with me. Today, I wanted to share with you some of the ways we are preserving and enjoying our apple harvest this season.
1. Crockpot Apple Sauce
Peel, core and slice 5 qts of apples and add to your slow cooker. Add 1 cup white sugar, 1 Tbsp cinnamon & 1 cup water. Cook on high for 6 hours. remove the lid and mash apples using a potato masher. Cook on high, again, for 2-4 hours until you've reached your desired consistency. Consistency will depend on how thin or thick you prefer. I'd recommend letting the apples cook overnight. Serve by itself, over pancakes or with some vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert! Store in glass canning jars in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for up to one year.
2. Apple Butter from Magnolia
When Joanna Gaines shares her recipe for apple butter, you make the dang apple butter! This recipe can be found in the 2017 Fall Edition of the Magnolia Journal. I made 4 pint size jars from this recipe but I'll be honest, I'm not sure these four jars will last very long!
Check out this recipe form Half Baked Harvest. These apple fritters are to die for! I plan on using the last of my apple harvest to make these sweet babies this week! Where are all my doughnut lovers at?!
4. Apple Cider
First, add the apples (10 apples, quartered), water (enough to cover the apples), honey or maple syrup (3/4 cup), spices (1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice or allspice) and cinnamon (1 Tbsp) to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours. Squeeze out the juice of the apples using a cheese cloth. Then using a strainer, strainer the liquid to remove extra apple pulp. Refrigerate for up to one week or serve warm.
5. Dehydrated Apple Chips
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Core and thinly slice apples (any kind you want but I've used both Fuji and Honeycrisp apples). Place apple slices on a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper) and lightly dust with cinnamon. Bake for one hour, turning slices over half way through. Remove from oven and let cool. These are a perfect healthy snack and great to pack for lunches or keeping on hand for a busy work day.
6. Apple Pie
Click here for my recipe for the perfect Bourbon Caramel Apple Pie, sure to please all of your guests this Holiday season!
7. Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is one of the easiest and by far my most favorite way to use a good apple harvest. Sweet cinnamon apples baked with a crispy, buttery oat crumble topping... there's just something so rustic and comforting about a good apple crisp. Check out this great recipe (super simple and very similar to mine) from the Chunky Chef! This gal knows what good home baking means!
Let's be honest, most fall recipes are hearty but heavy and usually require some stretchy pants for wearing. I'm more than pleased to share with you a healthy fall dinner recipe. This "Cranberry Apple Chicken Thighs with Rosemary" recipe from 40 Aprons is Paleo & Whole 30 friendly. This dish is the perfect version of a savory dish that will leave all of your dinner guests wanting the recipe!
I made my own version of this apple salad for lunch by adding in some turkey deli meat. This is also a great recipe for those of you who are working on meal prepping! You can easily make this Whole 30 approved!
Tieghan is at it again with another tasty apple recipe, this time, we are talking about a savory grilled cheese with an autumn twist. "Apple cider caramelized onion, layered between two slices of sourdough bread with crispy prosciutto, thinly sliced apples, creamy fontina, and sharp gouda cheese." My goodness, my mouth is already watering.
What are some of your favorite recipes using apples?
-The Happy Egg
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