Apples

Fall is known for apples and the Lord has blessed us with many.  A local orchard that we know, about 20 miles west of us outside of Burrton, allowed us to come pick apples.  We picked apples until we couldn't see them anymore and came home with approximately 3,000 pounds!  Some were fed to the pigs (they love apples!) but most were made into products for your family and ours to enjoy.  We have pressed gallons upon gallons of raw apple cider, several dozen half-pints of apple butter, and several dozen quarts of applesauce.  Our pantry is filling up quite nicely!

Last Saturday we invited some friends over for an Apple Cider Party.  Everything is more fun when you call it a party!  With their help and the help of our children we were able to press several gallons in about 4 hours.  There were many steps in our processing set up.  First there was the "apple pool"  This is where our oldest daughter (and a friend) scrubbed the apples and waded through and put them into small buckets to send to the next station.

The second station was a quick spray of the hose to get remaining grass and leaves off and a quick dunk in a dilute bleach tank.  The final rinse was a continuous flow of water where they were then taken to the cutting table and chopped.  Our youngest daughter and middle son took turns here.

At the cutting table most of the adults did the cutting but our oldest helped and we did numerous finger checks and everything is still attached.

It was a beautiful day with family and friends producing a wonderful, healthy, sweet drink and snack for all to enjoy.  We will be offering apple cider and apple butter to our CSA members and at the local Farmer's Market starting next month.

Until next time,

Tiff