What do I do with a bag of apples? A friend of mine who is a Red Hat Lady recently gave me a bag of apples, as she had an abundant crop. When asked if I would like some apples I replied, “Sure.”
It was unknown to me as to what the amount would be. Well, she brought the bag out and the weight of the contents made the handles tear, scattering apples on the sidewalk with some even rolling away to be rescued.
I took the apples home and on the way I was thinking about all the things I could make with this treasure. I used to do a lot of baking in my farming days, but now it’s occasional.
I decided to make two apple pies as my starting point. The pies turned out okay, but I failed to use a thickener for the juice released from the apples. I guess I am somewhat out of practice. The pies, however, were edible, and better with a scoop of ice cream.
One whole pie went in the freezer and the other was frozen in individual portions. That project took 12 apples.
Then I made apple fritters using two more apples. I enjoyed fritters when I went on a Branson tour a number of years ago. I searched for the recipe given out on the tour but was unable to find it so I used Ree Drummond’s recipe, which was featured recently on her TV show The Pioneer Woman. She stated her recipe made about 30 fritters. I got 33.
Next came an apple slice and crisp each using six apples. I still have more apples to go towards future baking, but right now I have a few things in the freezer to enjoy. There is still applesauce for potato pancakes, maybe another batch of apple fritters, and then of course, apple pies to be made. Next time I will remember to use a thickener. I found out that a bag of apples sure goes a long way.
Happy harvest to all! Harvest has been completed at the Herter farm for another year.
