Apples to applesauce

[astra_nomer]

We went apple-picking yesterday, along with the intrepid marcusmarcusrc. It was a mixed success, because DS1 got upset early on over not getting to pick out the wheelbarrow he wanted, so he spend the rest of the time moping in the car with DH. DS2, on the other hand, had a blast: apples are just about his favorite fruit.

In the afternoon, DH peeled and cored enough apples to fill my biggest mixing bowl, and I cooked them all down into applesauce.

Method:
1) pour 1 inch of apple juice into biggest pot
2) fill pot with sliced apples (luckily, volume of biggest bowl ~= volume of biggest pot)
3) cover pot, turn high on high until boiling vigorously, then turn down to moderate boil
4) cook until done (i.e. apples all mushy)
5) use stick blender to saucify cooked apples

Now, I'm not a huge fan of applesauce: I mean, if it's there I'll eat it, but there are lots yummier things I'd rather eat. But this stuff tasted just like fresh apples, not that watery gruel-like substance you buy in the store. Yum! Anyway, I canned about 5 pint jars, and put the last little bits in containers for DS2's lunches.

Now I am eyeing food grinder attachments for my KitchenAid mixer, on the theory that it will cut on the peeling and coring step. Then again, if DH will do the peeling and coring for me, maybe I don't need it! Home-cooked food tastes so wonderful: if only it didn't take so much time and energy.

That got us through maybe half of one of the three half-bushel boxes we picked. Maybe pies next?

Comments

[schnerf.livejournal.com]

Have you ever used a hand-crank apple peeler/corer/slicer such as http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Apple-Potato-Peeler/dp/B0000DE2SS? They work excellently, and really save time during apple season. I had one at home when I was growing up, and got one for myself a couple of years ago.

[astra-nomer.livejournal.com]

Every time I mention this type of device to DH, he always says that he never found them to work too well. Is this the same brand that you have? Maybe the ones he tried were inferior in quality.

[schnerf.livejournal.com]

I think this is the brand I have. Occasionally I'll have trouble with very large or oddly shaped apples, but I think even if I have to trim those by hand, I still save a lot of time. Another thing to consider is how it attaches to the counter: mine's like this one, a suction cup, but the one I had growing up clamped to a table edge. The suction only works on very smooth surfaces. As a kid, I always wanted to turn the crank, and I loved the long strings of peel it produces.

[capsicumanuum.livejournal.com]

Yay apple picking. I wish I could have gone with you guys.

I loved my last roommmate's hand crank apple peeler corer slicer. So much fun to turn the crank. But it didn't actually save that much time, and Mike thinks they are stupid and a waste of space.

[astra-nomer.livejournal.com]

on the other hand, is it something I could have DS1 or 2 do, without worrying about them wielding a sharp knife?

[capsicumanuum.livejournal.com]

The older one, yes definitely. The younger one? I'm not sure he's coordinated enough yet to make it work without getting frustrated and unhappy. It's also possible to hurt yourself on the cutting edge if you are trying hard enough.

[ilai]

Mmm, fresh applesauce.... never had it but it sounds tantalizing.

I think if you're good with a knife and peeler then it might be easier to just prepare apples by hand--the corer/peeler/slicer has quite a few little parts to clean. But if you're not good with knives (like me), are dealing with lots of apples, and don't mind imperfection, then the gadget is great. Plus it produces spiral-y strings of apple skin that are kind of fun to eat.

[unclenomer.livejournal.com]

But I make nice spirally things when peeling with a knife, too! Maybe not quite so nifty, but hey, part of the challenge is to spiral peel the apple in one long piece.

[narya.livejournal.com]

I applaud your skills - I'm more likely to peel my fingers in one long slice!

[ilai]

See, there you go! As long as you're peeling the apples, y'all don't need the gadget ;-)

(My skill only applies to the rind of clementines. Any other fruit looks like a mess after I'm done with it.)

[schnerf.livejournal.com]

yah, no way I could do that--that's why it saves me time. This is why knife skills is such a big part of cooking school.

[unclenomer.livejournal.com]

I'm not particularly skilled with a knife, but I have lots of practice on apples. Growing up if we wanted a pie after picking apples, we needed to peel them. :-)

[astra-nomer.livejournal.com]

Well, DH is both the dishwasher and the apple peeler/corer. So there, he's screwed either way, whether or not I get the gadget. :)