Apples Left in Storage - What to Do

(Public Domain image)

Bake them of course - in pies, cobblers, breads, and cakes, or bake them alone with raisins and brown sugar. Yum! Make applesauce. Make jelly. Add them to a bowl of cereal or a salad. Apples are good on lettuce with nuts and craisins...add a fruit vinaigrette and the combo is delicious. 

I'm fond of cabbage and apples together with nuts (walnuts, pecans and almonds all work). The trick is to make a good sweet and sour sauce. I start with mayo, lemon juice (or vinegar) and a touch of honey. I've replaced the mayo with olive oil (make sure it's fresh) and also have had success. Sorry, no recipe for this one. You have to do a taste test to get it right. 

When I cook pork on the stove top (spareribs, chops and roast), I sometimes add a can of sauerkraut, along with chopped onions and apples (don't peel). Some people plug their nose at sauerkraut, but this is one recipe they might enjoy. Just don't tell them the ingredients. My husband and I really like this dish. I've added potatoes and carrots too. Give it a try and file the recipe under "comfort food."

What are your favorite recipes for apples stored over the winter? Soon the nearby apple orchards in Desert Aire will be in full bloom, preparing for a fresh new crop. Apple crates will be stacked high and pickers brought in for the harvest. A busy time, and occasionally free apples are offered to the locals. We were invited once to pick the leftovers and had apples all winter long.

Below is a family favorite. They probably don't remember "Fresh Apple Pound Cake" being a family favorite, but it always disappeared fast when I baked it. Moms and wives, as they all know, remember these things :)

  Apple Recipe

"Fresh Apple Pound Cake"

1-1/2 cup vegetable oil..............3 cups unsifted flour

2 cups white sugar.....................1 tsp. baking soda

3 eggs.........................................1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups finely chopped pared apple

1 cup chopped (medium fine) pecans or walnuts

In mixer beat oil, sugar, eggs & vanilla till combined. Gradually beat in flour mixture till smooth. Fold in apples and nuts. Turn into greased & floured 10"x4" bundt pan. Bake 325 degrees. 1hr 20min or until done. Cool in pan on wire rack 20 min.

Caramel topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup butter, 2 tsp. milk. (Add brandy or rum flavoring for an extra treat). Boil 2 min.

With small spatula loosen cake edges & around tube. Turn out on rack. At once spoon hot mixture over still warm cake, allowing it to run down sides. (Poke holes in cake with toothpick for topping to soak in). Cool completely. May be stored for a day or two in tightly covered tin box. For longer storage, cover & refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving. (A nice gift at Christmastime).

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