Crab Apple Jelly & Pickles

Yesterday a neighbor came over and asked if we would like some crab apples.   I had just started getting some of my tomatoes ready to can....tomatoes were put on hold and my DH went with me to pick apples.

 

 

The tree was so pretty with all of the little red apples!
We picked a couple of pails of apples they were so nice.

First I started the Crab Apple Pickles.  Weighed out 4lbs of apples and washed them.  Take off the blossom end, leave stems on.

In a large sauce pan combined

2 ~1/2 cups of vinegar

2 cups water

4 cups sugar

Bring to a boil

In a spice bag put 3 (3") cinnamon sticks ~ 1 tblsp. whole cloves ~ 1 tsp. whole allspice, add to the pan.

Prick each apple a couple of times with a needle and add a layer at a time to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, remove.  Repeat until all the crab apples are cooked.

Place the apples in a large bowl and pour syrup with spices over them; let stand overnight.

The next day remove spice bag.  Pack apples in hot pint jars.  Bring syrup to a boil.  Pour over fruit.

Adust lids.  Process in boiling water bath (212F.) 30 minutes.  Remove jars from canner.

Makes 6 to 7 pints

They will be so good this winter!

Also made a batch of Crab Apple Jelly.

  If you go to COOKS.COM you will find a recipe.

Was out of jelly jars with lids, so I used Paraffin Wax to seal the jars.  

There is almost a pail of apples left and plenty more apples to pick if we want.

I would like to try and make crab apple juice.  Been looking at some recipes on line where you chop the apples and pour boiling water that has cream of tarter in it over the apples and let set 24 hours.  I have never done this and would love to hear from any one who has or if you have another recipe for making apple juice.

Linking to Homestead Barn Hop (I'm a day late)

~Cheryl~