I used to have a crabapple tree in my backyard when I lived in St. Albert. Every autumn I would make crabapple jelly, crabapple butter and spiced apples for apple strudel. A few weeks ago, a dear friend and neighbor invited me up to her farm just up the hill to pick crabapples. B and I filled quite a few baskets full and I have been busy making the butter and jelly, as well as many batches of apple sauce (which I froze) and a large batch of dehydrated apples. After all of that, I still have a large bowl of crabapples sitting on my counter… Perhaps I can bake a pie tomorrow?

Apple Butter

4 lbs. tart apples, quartered

2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh or bottled

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Remove stems and blossom ends from apples before cutting into quarters. Place in a large pot, including seeds, core and peeling. Add sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. Stir. Let stand until apples release some juice. Cover. Heat slowly. Bring to a boil. Cook gently, uncovered, stirring often, until apples are tender. Press through a food mill. Turn pulp into an enamel roaster. Bake, uncovered, in a 325 degrees (F) oven, stirring every 30 minutes, until thick, about 2 to 2 ½ hours. TO test for doneness, cool a teaspoonful on a chilled saucer. It should stay smooth. This may also be cooked in a large pot on top f the stove, stirring often. Pour into hot, sterilized jars to within ¼ inch (6 mm) of the top. Seal. Makes 4 half-pints.

Resource:

Pare, J. (1994). Company’s Coming: Preserves. Edmonton, AB: Company’s Coming Publishing Limited.