I got a bushel of drops and seconds apples for $10 to turn into applesauce and apple butter. My friend Danene said let's help each other, but when she entered my kitchen and saw my Foley food mills sitting on the counter, she said, "you're old-school!" And it turns out she has this big old Squeezo that clamps to the countertop and pushes out apple sauce in jig time.
So I got my 17 quarts of applesauce in a morning and then, after it cooked down, I had 3 pints of
apple butter the next day.
And Phoebe wanted to be tucked up on the sofa with a blanket so she could read. It was an unseasonably hot October day, not good for blankets or boiling canners, but the applesauce says autumn and we all breathe in crisp cold air.
12 comments:
I'm feeling you Phoebe.
I just got a bushel of seconds myself, but I haven't made any applesauce yet. I have made pie though. And am definitely going to make some more. And we've had apples, sausage and biscuits for dinner. I've also been eating my way through them.
I bought a Victorio food mill much like the Squeezo for my apples and tomatoes this fall. With every new baby, my husband gifts me a kitchen appliance to make life easier. Did it ever make a difference! With a fussy 5 month I was able to do 50 pints of applesauce and 20 quarts of tomato sauce comfortably in small bursts of activity.
Becky, tell me more about your supper - you cook the apples and sausages together? Eat them over the biscuits. . . .? I have a hunch this is a delicious thing I must make.
Wilde family, your husband is an exceptional man to give you that kind of gift!! I was thinking of borrowing the Squeezo next year when I do tomatoes and see how I like the tomato sauce.
We did tomatoes twice with new food mill. Paste tomatoes did much better. Round tomatoes made thick watery tomato juice and it took too long to boil it off so I just canned it watery. The paste tomatoes sauce was still a little watery but acceptable for my uses. I know my particular food mill has a part to do pumpkins. That is what I plan to get to freeze our pumpkins.
I have a Victoria Strainer...which is like what your friend used, according to the picture anyway...and I really like it! I've yet to do applesauce this fall yet though...farming has filled our days lately. I think though, that our local orchard keeps apples in cold storage all winter so I'll be able to get some when I'm ready. (might not be seconds though...bummer!) Did you make apple butter in your slow cooker? That's how I do it...put applesauce in, add spices and let it cook on low all day with the lid off, and viola...apple butter!
Alica, yes, apple butter in the slow cooker all the way! I forgot to put the link to my recipe - I added it to the post now.
When I made applesauce this year (for the first time ever) I went to Naomi's house and used her Victoria strainer thingie--she clamped it on a stool outside and we did all the work on her front patio. It was fun! I had never used such a contraption before, and the kids enjoyed turning the crank.
The best part of that post is the magnet on the fridge that says "I eat local because I can." Love it!!!
What a darling photo of Phoebe. I always ask my kids, "Do you want Mommy to make you a nest?" And they always say yes, even though it's just a tiny swirl of blankets and pillows. Good for the sick, the well, and those who are in a tantrum. :)
Applesauce! I add a little vanilla bean to mine. :)
17 quarts for a morning's work! Impressive! I might look into one of those amazing contraptions!
The right tools make a job so much easier :)
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