Please dazzle me with ideas to save windfall apples

[LooseleafTea]

I keep stewing them and freezing as it annoys me we have too many and then none so end up buying them most of the year . But can I freeze them just peeled and cut up too eg for apple tarts or will they go brown and less nice?

[Bellevu]

@Anordinarymum works well with gin.

[liveinthesticks]

We make apple and blackberry sorbet.

[PaternosterLoft]

Why are you all peeling apples? Seriously, Delia Smith does not. Cut the apples thinly, use fresh for pies or freeze - without stewing, without covering it anything - in pie sized portions.

You know what, sometimes I don't even totally defrost the portion before i throw crumble mix over the top. Just 30 secs in the microwave so i can get the bag off.

And you can make jam without boiling as well: www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-make-freezer-jam/ If you use liquid pectin it's even easier.

[LouisBalfour]

We've had an absolute glut this year from our trees. My son has so far made apple chutney and apple sauce and a couple of crumbles.

We usually put a basket on the drive for people to help themselves. There are lots of horse owners in our village who are happy to take them.

[MrsPnut]

I make apple and mint jelly with our friend’s donated windfall. It’s fantastic with sausages, pork, lamb or chicken.

[mysteryfairy]

We have so many every year. I put excess in boxes in the front garden with a help yourself sign and carrier bags for people to take them away in. Have so many Ocado bags since Ocado stopped recycling in March this will be a double win this year! They always all go and quite nice to think there are people across the village also eating apple cakes and pies originating from our garden!

[Cedilla]

I've given bags away on Freecycle before now (although inevitably some piss-takers wanted me to deliver them....)

[brakethree]

Firstly, try this cake, it's the business:

www.telegraph.co.uk/recipes/0/mary-berrys-very-best-apple-dessert-cake/

Secondly, you will have years when you will just have too many apples - you try and use them, you give loads away, you slice and freeze, you freeze whole, yet there are still more than you'll need. Even if you store it's hard to use them all! Sometimes you have to just have to just put them in the compost!

[LooseleafTea]

Cider would be tempting I must admit

[LooseleafTea]

I’ll love trying the Dorset cake, it looks really satisfying and has a good amount of apple. A friend offered me even more apples today and I said no a bit too firmly I think

[LooseleafTea]

So much continued wisdom here, thank you all very much . Am very interested in the sand in bucket storage method as hadn’t heard of that and often old methods are best IMO! We’ve tried newspapers and separating them and as mentioned yes do lose some and ours tend to shrivel a bit and become harder to peel so interesting to compare

[FitzChivalry]

See if there's a cider maker near you. Our local company will take windfall apples and then when they've made the cider they will give you some in return.

[DoubleDolphin]

Store them in your shed in boxes covered with newspaper, single rows. They can last 6 to 9 months that way

[PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle]

Mincemeat! Add sultanas, raisins, currants, dried peel, suet, lashings of brandy and let it mature. By Christmas you'll have the tastiest fillings for mine pies.

[DonLewis]

Posted too soon. And always check the apples over for damage.

[DonLewis]

Do not make juice from windfall, only freshly picked apples. There is a risk that the juice will contain patulin.

[FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack]

Oh I missed that post, totally agree about the apple peeler, my 2yr old did about 30 for me in one go. Child labour is totally fine if you let them eat the outcome

[RaspberryBlonde]

Agree with the the suggestion @lborgia made about the apple peeler. I'm not one for single function gadgets but this one genuinely saves hours if you have a lot of apples to do! Does look a bit like a torture device though...

[FreeButtonBee]

We always wrap each apple in newspaper and store in a box in a cool place. You lose a few but they last retry well

[FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack]

I use the windfalls up for this, it's a spiced jam and it's amazing on toast or pancakes, added to yoghurt or cooked in pastry cases like mince pies.

blog.lakeland.co.uk/recipe/apple-butter/

I use 500g of sugar instead of 2kg though as mine are eating apples and it's still really sweet.

[MuseumOfYou]

wastedapple.co.uk/become-an-apple-donor/#:~:text=As%20a%20rough%20rule%20of,a%20maximum%20of%2036%20bottles.

[JingsMahBucket]

You can also make apple chips from the peels.

[Anordinarymum]

@Bellevu

Peel, core and roughly slice.
Stack in large killer jars
Cover with the cheapest vodka you can find
Store in a cool dark place for 6-9 months. Longer you leave it the better
Bottle into jars and bottles
Drink or give as pressies
Use the boozy apples with icecream or hot cake

What size jars do you need and can you use gin instead

[MuseumOfYou]

This Apple cake is nice

www.joskitchenlarder.com/dorset-apple-cake-traybake/

[Anordinarymum]

Probably rocket fuel :)