Apples! Val was right! (Asian, poverty, suggestion)

[GregW]

I have made some pretty decent apple wine from local apples and some really really good freeze concentrated applejack.

[maestramommy]

Okay, all you longtimers. If I go and pick 23 lbs of apples this fall, what can I do with them (besides canning) so that I can enjoy them all winter? Is there something I can do to make freezable pie filling? Can I make apple sauce and freeze it in plastic containers? I'm not set up to do canning (don't even know how) this year, maybe next year. But for now, any suggestions?

[nhfinehomes]

Meadow Ledge Farm in Loudon is about 15 min. from Concord. IMO, this is the full apple picking experience. You get a tractor ride on weekends to the orchard, cider donuts made in the country store, fresh cider, pumpkins, even a farm dog roams the grounds. We have been to several orchards in central NH and this one has been once of all time favorites. Actually heading over there today!

[GregW]

Get a copy of "Fanny Farmers Great American Cookbook". The older they are the better. If kept in a cool dark place, apples keep fairly well without doing anything to them. I think the FFGAC recommends dipping the apples in paraffin to store them for a longer time but I am not certain.

[newhampshiregirl]

I went to Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill yesterday and picked a peck of apples (Macs & Cortlands). Deeeelicious apples, wonderful family fun.

Maestramommy, here's a great website about long-term apple storage.

[Valerie C]

I can remember as a kid, my grandfather going down to the celler to get apples for us in the middle of winter. We thought it was magic that he could produce beautiful apples that looked and tasted "just picked", but I asked my mom about this, and she tells me that back then they used to pack the apples into sand, and they kept for the entire winter, and other crops were kept there as well (not sure how they kept the other crops from rotting...) Of course we're talking about a 100 year old house with fieldstone foundation, this was a damp and unheated area, not your typical finished basement of today, but as a root cellar it was perfect

Oh, and by the way, Honey Crisps are FINALLY ready here in Londonderry

Here's a great website that I just printed out for food storage:
http://www.geocities.com/tominelpaso/harguide.txt

[WannaComeHome]

Ok, I think I've heard of packing them in sand. I think I've also heard about packing them with straw in barrels. They get a lot sweeter, I hear, as they age.

[NH2NCMom]

Originally Posted by newhampshiregirl

I went to Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill yesterday and picked a peck of apples (Macs & Cortlands). Deeeelicious apples, wonderful family fun.

Maestramommy, here's a great website about long-term apple storage.

my two faves types - macs & cortlands! I want to try these honeycrisps too - never heard of them. Down here we can't find cortlands at all, and macs are rare! Can find gala, fuji and red delicious - not at all my faves and I pay a pretty penny for macs at Thanksgiving for my apple pies.

[notdancingqueen]

Still finding honeycrisps here in the sunapee area...they are spendy in hannafords ($2.49/lb) but now I am spoiled for them... thanks Val.

[dubthang]

What? No love for empires?

Don't forget to grab a few pears while out picking too. They are great for adding into apple pies and sauces.