Apple Time

Along with subbing at the school I have been making apples sauce and freezing apple slices for pies.  On Wednesday morning I picked apples and made one caner of apples sauce and froze some for pies.

 
Our tree did very well this year.  The apples where the largest that they have been for us and hardly any bad ones.  The apples are not sprayed, there is mint growing under the tree.  I read somewhere that mint or chives growing under the tree was suppose to help with worms.  Needed a place for some mint, thought it was worth a try.  I also hang a couple of jugs of "banana smoothies" in the tree.  This came from an article in Country Side magazine.  Insects love the smoothie.  You mix one banana, one cup of sugar and one cup of vinegar in a gallon milk jug filled two-thirds full with water and place in the tree to attract insects. This needs to be in the tree before the tree blooms in the spring.  One jug for small trees and two for a larger tree.

Today I am cooking the rest of the apples for sauce.  Next week the rest of the apples will be made into cider.  An Amish family by us is going to help me with making cider, they have a press.  I am excited about making cider, will be a first for me.

Have also tried a couple of apple recipes this week.

Cranberry Apple Crisp

adapted from Simply in Season 

4 c. apples peeled and sliced

1 c. cranberries

1/2 c. brown sugar

Combine in a bowl and toss until fruit is coated.  Place in a greased 8x8 baking dish.

3/4 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. flour

3/4 c. rolled oats

1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine in a bowl.

5 Tlbsp. butter

1/3 c. nuts

Cut into flour mixture until crumbly.  Sprinkle over apple mixture.  Bake at 350F until fruit is soft and topping crisp, 45-50 minutes.  Serve warm with ice cream.

Baked Squash and Apples

adapted from Simply in Season

one butternut or buttercup squash (I used butternut)

peeled, seeded and fibers removed, cut into 1/2-inch slices

Put in a greased baking dish.

2-3 apples (cored and cut into 1/2-inch slices-peeled or unpeeled)

Arrange on top of squash.

1/3 c. brown sugar

3 Tblsp. butter ~ melted

1 Tblsp. flour

Combine and sprinkle over top of apples and squash.  Cover and bake at 350F until squash is tender,

40-50 minutes.

Served this with meat loaf and baked potatoes.

Sorry for the quality of the pictures.  Had to use my camera this time and it just doesn't take good pictures.  Would love to hear what kind of camera some of you ladies use.  Looking to get a new one.

We are enjoying another beautiful fall day here in Wisconsin.