A is for…
It was delightfully cool last night — good sleeping weather, as my dad calls it.
It got me started in on planning my semi-annual apple picking trip (I do two — one in the early fall for apples and hopefully some fall raspberries… then another in late fall for more canning apples, gourds, pumpkins, etc.)
Where’s your favorite place to pick apples?
I know Minnesota Harvest has a great selection.
Emma Krumbee’s is great if you aren’t into hard-core canning (like I am. Did I just type hard-core canning?) and if you have little people to bring with you.
I’ve also had a good time at Apple Jack Orchards.
If you like to learn about different varieties, you can’t go wrong with the U of M’s Apple House at the Arboretum in Chanhassen.
In case you are interested in Minnesota farms and pick-your-own, the Pick Your Own website is my all-time favorite. It’s not always the most updated — but it at least points me in a general direction when I want to pick scores of fruit or veggies from small, local farmers.
Apple pies, apple crisp, applesauce, apple butter. It’s on.
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Mmmmm. Pie. Apple pie is my favorite.
If you’re making an apple pie, try adding a handful of cranberries and a corresponding amount of sugar to compensate for the tartness. They add a whole new kickass dimension to an American classic. At this point, I don’t make a pie or crisp without cranberries.
APPLE pie or APPLE crisp that is. There are probably other pies or crisps that would not be helped by cranberries. But not as many as you might initially think, I suspect.
mmmm.
Coming from a long line of cranberry growers hailing from Wisconsin (shhh. I like to think clan Green sprung from this soil, not that we’re actually german-scottish-irish immigrants), I think that sounds like a damned fine idea.
how do you can apples? And recipe for Apple butter, please…
Minnesota Harvest in Jordan is my fave - their bakery (I think it’s called Sponsel’s? or something) is fantastic.
Personally, here’s how I do apple butter:
I take my leftover applesauce from the year before (or you can buy applesauce, or make your own from apples you pick this year) and follow this recipe: http://www.pickyourown.org/applebutter.htm
I always tweak the spices a bit — I add cardamom. But I’m kinda like that. This is super easy… and you can always leave your apple butter in the fridge if you aren’t set up to can.
Speaking of canning apples, does anyone know where I can get a boiling water canner? I haven’t been able to find one around…most places seem to just sell the jars.
try thrift stores (salvation army). I got mine from grandma/hand-me-downs (yes, I have multiple.)
I know williams-sonoma sells them, but I’m sure they are spendy.