Every year apple season brings with it a glut of fruit, and some people can find themselves with more apples than willing eaters in the household. What are the options for all the extra apples? Here are the top 7 ways to put them to use.
Firstly, preserve the apples by turning them into jams, chutney, and sauces. Whether you use a stove-top or canning method, you can use a basic recipe or tweak the ingredients to find something that you really love. Apples also freeze really well, so take a look at some recipes and find something you want to try.
Secondly, use the apples to make hard cider. This can be a fun project, and with the right measurements, it can end up being a great alcoholic beverage. Or use them to make syrups or juices that are full of sweet and tart flavours, perfect for a refreshing drink.
Thirdly, let’s not forget about the most traditional way of using those apples, baking. Whether you like pies, bread, muffins or other snacks, there is sure to be a recipe that uses apples and can be found online. Plus, you can combine the apples with other seasonal fruits for even more baking options.
Fourthly, why not use the apples to make decorations. With a little time and effort you can create apple swans, hanging apples, vintage-style jams, or anything else you can think of. These decorations make a lasting impression and are sure to delight your family and friends.
Fifthly, if you have an abundance of apples and don’t know what to do with them, you can always donate them to food pantries or local shelters. This way, those in need can access fresh, healthy food items and have better access to nutritious snacks.
Finally, cultivate your own apple tree. All the fruits you have harvested can be the perfect material for a second apple tree. Plant the seeds, nurture them, and in a few years, you will have another healthy, fruit-bearing tree that can provide more apples year after year.
Preservatives
Preserving apples is a great way to enjoy their flavor over a extended period of time. Common types of preservatives are jellies, jams, and sauces. Once preserved, the apples can enjoy months or even years of extended shelf life. You can put the preservatives in glass jars and store them in cool, dark places to keep them fresh. Besides the preservation of the apples, preserving them can also add a unique layer of flavor to food dishes. An apple jam could be used to spread over toast in the morning, or an apple sauce could be paired with pork chops for dinner. By making preservatives, you are taking full advantage of your apple harvest.
Hard Cider
Making hard cider with apples is an exciting way to put apples to use. It can be a fun project for you to try out and it can even provide you with a delicious, alcoholic beverage in the end. Hard cider is made by fermenting apples, usually using a yeast. The apples provide the base flavor and then the yeast produces the resulting alcohol. Different additions, such as hops or spices, can provide additional flavors. You can check out recipes online to find what is the best fit for your situation. Hard cider is a great way to use up a large quantity of apples.
Baking
Baking with apples is probably one of the most classic ways to use apple harvest. The great thing about baking apples is that it is so versatile. You could go with a classic apple pie, or include different variations of apples in a more unique dish. For instance, you can combine apples, raisins, and nuts for a more flavor-packed dish. You can even use the apples to make savory dishes such as pork chops with an apple glaze. The options are near limitless, so you can find whatever type of dish you are looking for.
Decorations
Apples can also be used for unique decorations in your home. With some time and effort, you can come up with some truly amazing apple decorations. One example would be creating a wreath out of apples. These wreaths can be a great way to showcase the beauty of the apples. You can also create hanging apples, as this creates a great outdoor decoration. It’s a truly rustic and natural way to make an impression with your decorations. Apples can also be used to make vintage-style jams, and you can put some real artwork into the containers. The choices are yours.
Donation
For those with an abundance of apples and no real need for them, donations is always an option. There are many food banks and shelters that can greatly benefit from your surplus of apples. Apples are a great source of nutrients and are full of flavor. Donating your apples can help those in need access fresh, healthy food items and have a healthy snack available to them. Plus, with the endless health benefits that come with apples, it is always a great option for donations.
Cultivation
Finally, those who with an abundance of apples can also use them to cultivate their own apple tree. All the fruits you have harvested can be the perfect material for a second apple tree. This way, you can not only get the benefit of having two fruits-bearing trees, but also have the satisfaction of growing them yourself. Just plant the seeds and take care of the tree and you will be rewarded with a healthy, full-bodied tree that will provide you with endless apples year after year.
