Fall anywhere is usually a time for special once-a-year recipes and tasty treats. It is also a time of gathering and preserving the summer's bounty for the coming winter. The Law Family Homestead is no exception. In our part of Idaho we have an abundance of apple trees both wild and domestic. While we certainly do our share of applesauce and apple pie filling, the boys have a favorite recipe that is always asked for first, just to be sure we don't run out of apples before it's made.
The other day my in-laws dropped off a few boxes of apples from their large tree. While it wasn't quite enough to do an all day large scale canning session, which I prefer, there was too much to just let the boys eat fresh, although they did make the attempt! They then reminded me of their favorite recipe. With promises of help extracted from them we set up the canning equipment anyway.
Knives were handed out and everyone started chopping. Apples are cut into halves or quarters.
It was all hands on deck, although some were only armed with butter knives!
A slight deviation in the applesauce making process came next, as the apples are placed on racks for a trip to our smoker. They are left in for 30 to 45 minutes. The result is a slightly smoky flavored apple.
The smoky apples are then placed in the large pot to continue the applesauce making process, they are boiled until soft.
Next, they are put through the Squeezo (sauce maker removes all skins and seeds). The cool thing about running mechanical devices in the kitchen? There is never a shortage of willing helpers!
Of course with six boys no one ever tires before the next one insists it is their turn!
Sometimes I have to invent jobs so that all little hands stay busy and there are no mental breakdowns. If only they would maintain their enthusiasm as they get older!
While some boys were playing in the kitchen the others were playing dress up with baby VAR.
After getting tired from playing dress up, baby VAR put her supervisory two cents worth in from her observational post on the couch.
Once the apples are turned to sauce, it is placed in large crock pots with sugar and spices added to turn it into apple-butter.
As it cooks down and becomes thicker and darker, the spices are melded together.
This is our well-loved SMOKED APPLE BUTTER!
Once reduced we put it in mason jars and can it for use on cold winter mornings. We like it on top of biscuits or pancakes. If you are into fruit on your meat, several people who tried it, have told me it is to die for on pork chops and such.
It does sound questionable, but once you try this there is no going back, it has become a Law Family Homestead favorite!