Our Apple Picking Adventure!

We went apple picking the other day! This is the orchard we went to! There were so many many apples!! They were so huge too! All different kinds! We love apples in our house!!

The kids quickly filled their bags then ran off to have races up and down the rows!

Hardly anyone was there so it didn't matter too much if they made noise!

Here are some instructions I found on how to pick apples!
(not that I ever knew we needed instructions...but apparently the orchard people think we do!! )

"You will see that there are almost always two apples growing stem to stem, and many more along the branch.  After deciding which group of two apples you want, you pick them in the following manner: 
 
Place the palms of your hands on each apple, at the same time.  Gently use your fingers - without putting too much pressure on the apples - to twist and turn the two apples either upward or downward until they release.  If there is anything more than the stems on your apples after they release, then you didn't quite do it as we do.  It's ok, as long as you don't drop any and don't shake off any apples from the tree.
After you have the two apples in your hands, place them gently in your bag."


Remember, the longer apples remain on their trees, the sweeter they get!




The Proper Way to Store Apples...

• Store your apples in the coolest place you may have.  If you have room, apples stored in the fridge stay fresher twice as long!
• Handle gently to prevent bruising.  Refrigerate your apples in the crisper section of your fridge; cool air maintains juiciness, quality and crispness.
• If unable to store in the fridge, remove apples from your U-Pick bag and store in a cardboard box with holes in the side (or ventilated storage bag) away from food with strong odors.  Sprinkle with water mister a few times a week.

Did You Know..? Apples give off a gas that speeds up the ripening of bananas, kiwis, peaches, plums and pears.  Place these fruits in a paper bag with your apples to quicken their ripening!

Old Fashioned Fruit Butters

[Here is a great recipe from my Farm Journal's Freezing & Canning Cookbook.]

(One of my favorites!)

Grandmother made fruit butters for two important reasons that are just as valid today: (1) they taste exceptionally good and (2) they make use of the sound parts of windfalls or culls. Among the favorite fruits for butters are apples, apricots, grapes, peaches, pears, plums, quinces, guavas and combinations of fruits.

HOW TO PREPARE FRUITS FOR BUTTERS

Cook fruits until soft, stirring constantly. Put cooked fruit through food mill or colander. For a superior, smooth butter, sieve the pulp to remove fibrous material.

APPLES: Peel and slice or quarter. Cook in an equal amount of water, cider or half cider and water.

             

ADDITIONS TO FRUIT PULP

Sugar: Use white or brown sugar. Brown sugar darkens the light fruits; it gives a pronounced flavor to bland ones. The amount of sugar to add depends on personal tastes, but the general rule is half as much sugar as pulp. 

Spices: Usually ground spices are added, although some people prefer to omit them. About 1tsp. each ground cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. each ground ginger and ground allspice to 1gal. of butter is a good proportion. Whole spices tied loosely in a cheesecloth bag may be substituted for ground spices in making light-colored fruit butters. 

COOKING FRUIT BUTTERS

1.Measure the pulp and sugar into a large kettle; add the salt. Boil rapidly, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. As the butter becomes thick, lower heat to reduce splattering. 

    2. Add spices.

   3. Continue cooking until butter is thick enough almost to flake off the spoon, or as

       Grandmother used to say: "Until it is thick enough to spread." Another test for       consistency is to pour a tablespoon of the hot butter onto a chilled plate- if no  

      rim of liquid forms around the edge of the butter, it is ready for canning. 

    4.Ladle into sterilized jars to within 1/2" of jar top. Wipe jar rim; adjust lids.

       Process in boiling water bath 5 minutes. Remove from canner and complete seals unless closures are self-sealing type.

      

APPLE/PEAR BUTTER

A Farm Journal reader's favorite spread is fruit butter made with equal

parts of pear and apple pulp, spiced and sweetened to taste. The fruit blend is delicious!

YUM!!!