A little plot of earth
a shovel
seeds
rain
sun
and a hose
are all you’d need for a lovely little garden…
but to have an old rough and knotted limbed apple tree canopied backyard..
well, that would be just sensational, wouldn’t it?
I knew crab apple trees flourished in Calgary.. but sweet apples?
Mona (you’ll remember her from this post)
generously shared her apple picking ladder with me
and I came home with almost a bushel.. of the sweetest, prettiest sap green apples I’d seen anywhere.. they trumped every apple I saw at the market!
but I’m a sucker for technology and gadgets and couldn’t wait to put my handy little apple peeler/corer to work!
The person who invented this one is a genius, I think.. take a look..
We simmered those apples into the sweetest batch of applesauce…
I’d like to give you the recipe, but I don’t have one..
just add a splash of water to your apples and simmer in a big pot over a medium low heat.. keep adding splashes of water when it cooks dry
stir
when the apples soften.. add splashes of water to get the consistency you like
mash to reduce the size of the apple chunks or use a hand-held emulsion blender if you want a more liquid result (if using a standard blender, allow the applesauce to cool first)
stir in some cinnamon, nutmeg
or live life on the edge and experiment with a pinch or two of star anise..
oops.. almost forgot.. add a little sugar to taste, depending on how sweet your apples are…
you could can or freeze your sparkling jars of heaven
or just eat it straight out of the jar
The rest of those apples went into my daughter’s fragrant Apple Spice Muffins..
we simmered some small chunks of apple… just like making apple sauce
but stopped when the apples were just softened then added them to the batter
These little gems were soft, fluffy and moist.. perfect for a lunch box!
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by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Yummers!
I’ve got to make applesauce someday… never made it, and full disclosure: never had any. I know I would love it, cinnamon… apples… what’s not to like?
I’m heading back home to ‘apple season’. Your post has me very excited to get picking!
Thanks for sharing.
Yum! I still need to make mine. I froze a bunch of jars last year….
The muffins sound wonderful!
I am jealous – in that nice way – this looks fantastic. Just swooning over those apples, my favorite kind!
YUMMERS – It is certainly APPLE time! Happy Friday:)
Gorgeous photography my dear!
An apple tree is what this post makes me want to have! An apple tree just like that with sweet light green apples. Heaven!
Looks amazing – and put me in the apple mood Barbara!! – yes a genius I love that peeler corer thing too!!!! Much Love ~ R
You’re out of this world .. everything matches with the apples … unbelievable. Apple muffins I LOVE !!! I love everything with apples really, except eating them raw – don’t know why .. really, very rarely I eat an apple and I like them. Have a nice weekend
Wow. I love that apple peeler!
Those muffins look soooo delicious and I’m jealous of your apple tree!!
Spicy and saucy…two of my favourite things
Your muffins look incredible my friend and with everything homemade and homegrown I can only imagine the flavour
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love the new look of your blog – it’s super cool. And as always I love your images *sighs* as I realize the photographic knowledge mountain I have to climb.
I love how your apple sauce isn’t sweetened. I love the pic of the apples fresh from the tree and what a gorgeous little wooden crate you have them in – so ‘The Waltons’. Love the new look of your blog, Smidge xx
Just picked apples don’t compare the slightest to supermarket apples. I am going to have to figure out how to grow a apple tree in my apartment and make these muffins.
I’ve never tried making applesauce before. I had no idea it was so easy! Thank you for these two recipes, Smidge. I love apples! Your pictures are so pretty too!
Applesauce from apples you picked yourself is the best, I agree. And you’d be surprised at the different apples you can grow in Alberta! The one in my backyard actually produces red apples that are pleasantly tart but totally edible without cooking.
I’ve yet to take advantage of the apple harvest, having been distracted by peaches. Your post here, though, makes me anxious to get to the famers market tomorrow morning. I need to smell apples baking in the oven and the Boys Upstairs need their apple sauce. You are so lucky to be able to pick apples that haven’t been spoilt by larvae. We’ve trees around the property in Michigan but the apples aren’t worth picking. On the other hand, they look beautiful in the Spring and are a source of food for the deer throughout Fall and Winter. Apples are so readily available in that area that I’d rather the deer have their fill. I’m being redundant but it must be said. This is another beautifully photographed post, Barb.
Oh, I love my apple peeler. Those spirals are so darn cute–and it’s really so fast. Can’t wait to pick our apples now!
What a wonderful bounty of apples! I must try adding star anise to my next batch of apple sauce
I was just commenting on another apple sauce that I read – I’ll never buy storebought goo again!
Will be making applesauce in a week or 2. I like to add maple syrup or Chinese rock sugar as sweetener. I have never used an apple peeler, your is so cool.
Love the picture of the apples piled high in the basket. I must get out to an orchard soon!
Your photography work captured the heart of fall especially of the apples mounded high and the apple peeler. I also like your new theme as less scrolling required and that is nice. Take care, BAM
Beautiful, beautiful shots! And now I need to make something with apples!
What is the apple variety–they look like some of my favorites from childhood–the best for pies and sauce.
There is nothing, but nothing, like an apple dessert. Your beautiful basket of apples inspires me to make a beautiful crumble tomorrow….
Love the new layout Smidge! Those muffins look fantastic and I just love the picture of the apple on the corer/peeler. Very cool.
I sure wish I knew.. all I know is they were in the backyard of Mona’s house.. and green and sweet.. anywhere from 2-3ish inches in diameter.
I love apple crumble/crisp.. one of the first desserts that I’ve ever made:D
Thanks, Kristy.. I always like changing things up, but now I think I’m done for a while.. I think…
That is full disclosure… you’re one of a few I think:) If you lived closer I’d fix that for you!
Do you have your own tree to pick.. lucky you!!
It takes so many apples to make just a few jars.. I’ve already got to make more! xx
As I swoon over your recipes.. if only we could sample each other’s!
It definitely is apple time.. and we need to hurry before it’s pumpkin time, lol!
Thanks, Kammie!
Me too!! I have to totally plant one next spring. I wonder if I can buy a more mature tree to speed things up??
Yay! Glad I could help! It was a blast to use!! So efficient!
Aww, thanks Viveka.. I do love to try and “match” stuff:D I was thinking the other day that if apples tasted like those ones, I’d eat them daily!! Some store bought are just awful, don’t you think?
Isn’t it a cool tool?
Yup… I’m jealous of it too.. wish I had one!
They were so moist.. must be all that applesauce:)
Thanks so much! I’ve just experimented and along the way I know certain angles in the sun can turn out cool. Sometimes just cropped in close can work miracles too!
Hahaha.. thanks for catching that!! I was in such a hurry I left the sugar out:) Now I think Chgo John has one without sugar. I’m positive my mom used to buy apples or at least they were displayed at the store in these baskets??
It’s true.. I may have to sneak back to Mona’s yard:D
I used to have an old variety my parents called “Transparent.” They were an early season apple. Maybe?
Me too:D
Thanks Sarah! I always love when you come round here to visit, you say the most complimentary remarks every time. I always look forward to reading what you write for me.. it’s like opening up a “real” letter:D xx
I think you must be the local “expert” at things that grow in Alberta:) I saw a red apple tree at one of the houses I showed two days ago. I was thinking that tree could almost sell the house for me!!
Now I’m wondering if you made it to the market yesterday.. and what wonderful stuff you’ve conjured in your Bartolini Kitchens!! After seeing your lovely peaches.. I can’t wait!! My mom is driven to insanity with deer destroying her garden at the lake. I wonder if she had an apple tree if they’d just leave the rest of her garden alone… or would it bring on a stampede of deer?
You have one as well?!! They are just so much fun!!
If you made an applesauce, Tandy, I’m certain it would be unique and wonderfully gourmet!!
You’re so right on that one! Store bought is just dreadful once you’ve tasted homemade! It’s just not always easy to find the time, I guess!
I was wondering about maple syrup.. it would be scrumptious and very Canadian:) I have never seen nor tasted Chinese rock sugar.. I think that would be so interesting and it must be delicious. Does it taste much different than plain white sugar??
I’m sure everyone around here will be soon.. fall apples are so hard to resist.. and I guess, why would we, lol?
That is good to know.. I worried it is too wide.. my own eyes got a bit tired trying to read across such a wide stretch.. but nothing’s perfect I guess:)
Oh.. I really hope the apple recipes start rolling in.. I could use some new ones!!
I went searching and found this website: http://www.dnagardens.com/Apple%20page.htm They just call them Alberta Green and they’re a late season apple and look exactly like mine.. what do you think??
I just googled Transparent.. and they look the same as well.. but it says they are early season??
Hormones maybe? Those ones body builders use?
Hahaha.. well, they haven’t worked on me yet, so that’s not a good sign, lol!
I heard of a wealthy and ambitious gentleman here in town who got an old tree from BC transported here to go with his new home design. I’m thinking if I win the lottery I might go looking for ‘that’ apple tree. I have to buy a lotto ticket first if I want a mature apple tree. LOL!
I don’t think I know where you live?? That’s such a neat story! You have to find that tree!!
Much more likely than the Transparent–yes, they were “summer apples.” What a lovely discovery–and so glad you found that tree!
Barbara! I love yr apple corer and peeler! I love kitchen gadgets too! And those apple muffins! I need to make them soon!! So lovely!!
Isn’t it fun.. I love that it has no plugs or buttons.. just simple gears and levers!
I love home made applesauce and I bet your house smelled divine the entire time! Then add muffins and you have the perfect Fall smelling house. I just looked at one of those apple corer/peelers the other day. Had to talk myself out of it. I’m sure there will be plenty to be had in New Hampshire.
Gorgeous photographs as always!
What I wouldn’t give for a day picking apples with the kids and then to top it off with making apple sauce and spicy muffins
Heaven!
Simply delicious! I cant wait to do some apple picking now
We used one of those apple peeler/corers at school the other day. It freaked my freak, and now I want one. Hard.
I love the colours and feel of this post. Sigh… perfect for a Sunday morning coffee break.
Not even close!
And I agree, fruit trees are a major selling point.
I love the peeler and delicious looking muffins.
You’re welcome…..it probably has to do with the fact that I feel so at home here? I feel like I’m talking to an old friend
It’s so nice….
Happy Sunday dear Barb!
Those really are some of the prettiest apples I’ve seen and if they tasted half as good as they look, then anything you made with them would be fabulous. Speaking of fabulous, both your applesauce and those muffins are looking mighty tasty!
Another great recipe! They definitely look like delicious little gems! I don’t know if you participate in blogging awards…but I have nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogging Award! You do have some super sweet recipe shares! See my bog post for details about the award.
I’m in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Yes, now I have an urge to find out that BC tree in NL. I’ll be doing a lot of asking around!
Take a photo if you find it!!
Oh yes! I’ll find a way to blog it too!
Haha.. they’re not too expensive! Hey, you could have just come over here and saved yourself going to class that day;)
Your daughter’s version of apple muffins sound great too! I like the idea that they are made with apple sauce. I’ve been on quite a muffin kick, so I’ll have to try these. I just made a big double batch of mini-pumpkin muffins this weekend and the girls loved them. It really is starting to feel like fall, isn’t it?
Well.. now that you mention mini-pumpkins it sure is!! xx
I was just looking at one of those apple peelers on our Lakeland everything for the home site and thinking do I need one and you may have just swung it…. keep thinking that I should get peeling and processing but the apples are sat in the garage right now. Lots of lovely inspiration here though – thank you!
Chinese rock sugar is a sugar combination that comes is lump and is frequently referred to as yellow rock sugar (there is a white variety now available, but I prefer the yellow ones). Rock hard and must be whacked into smaller pieces to use, (I use a hammer). It is less sweet than regular sugar and has a unique taste all its own.
So its not from sugar cane?
As always…YUM!!!
[...] and if you want another take on Apple Muffins, check out Smidge’s Saucy Apple Spice Muffins… hers look divine! (And proof that great minds think alike.) Share the [...]
One of the sugar combination is probably cane sugar.
I have a full bin of apples and looking forward to baking something yum. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
We’ve started eating apples from our trees. They are so fresh and so sweet. The red macintosh are my favorite for sauce. Yours has such a nice color. And the muffins look like a perfect, healthy mid morning nibble with tea. And definitely in my daughter’s school lunch
Oh I love all the green in these photos. That is one heck of an apple score! We picked a range of beautiful red apples last weekend, but none are so lovely as a green apple, methinks. I make applesauce like you do
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Perfect apples to make delicious sounding muffins. Using whole wheat flour must have added a lovely flavor.
Yumm! I believe in using good fruit in your baking too, or you really can taste the difference.
I love the pale green colour of the apples. I think your muffins must have tasted even better because you picked the apples yourself. They sound delicious!
Wowww….this blog is wonderfull!!!
And you are the artist of the Nature
Thank You for your sweet space
Hi
Claude