This morning I smell smoke from someone's wood fire. The cottonwoods along the creek are dressed in their finest glorious gold and the wind is undressing my peach tree! The weatherman says the temperature will register "cold" tomorrow. Old man winter must be hiding out right around the corner! Two daughters in law, a "new be" and a "to be" have shown interest in my canning. Today is apple canning day at my house. Perfect timing! A friend has sent four boxes of beautiful red and yellow dappled apples my way! My mission...apple pie filling! I have an Amish apple recipe that can be used for more desserts than just an apple pie. My family loves it. My favorite is Apple Crisp with lots of crunchy oatmeal topping!
The apples will to be peeled and sliced and put in tall, shiny quart jars, crowned with silver lids and rings. Sugar; 4 cups, cinnamon; 2 tsps, nutmeg; a dash, cornstarch; 1 cup, all poured into 10 cups of water. Mix and heat to a boil. Simmer until clear and brown to make the syrup. I slice my apples into a pan of lemon water to help them keep their pretty color. When enough apples are sliced I settle them into hot jars, crowd them down tight and cover them to their shoulders with the syrup. Close your eyes. Can you smell the rich, warm, spicy smell filling my kitchen?
Four jars at a time go into a boiling water bath for about twenty minutes. They come out bright and shiny and line up on a towel on my counter to cool. Listen for their lids to ping announcing they have sealed. Soon they march their way onto the pantry shelf, carrying a load of love and family tradition on their shoulders. One generation to the next, from my mom to me, to those who come after me and want to give it a try; autumn blessings
No comments:
Post a Comment