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<\/p>\nApples are the quintessential fall fruit, and they’re great for snacking, baking, and cooking\u2014but they don’t last forever. Fortunately, there are several ways to preserve apples to enjoy longer. Learn tips for preserving apples including storing, freezing, drying, and canning.<\/p>\n
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The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and pumpkin spice everything has taken over. The fall season is one of my favorite times of the year with all the natural beauty. This is apple season!<\/p>\n
We have a small apple orchard on our property. Some years the fruit isn’t edible since we don’t spray our apples. We let these apples feed the wildlife. However, other times, if the conditions are right, we end up with a bumper crop of delicious fruit.<\/p>\n
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If you go apple pickling with your family and friends, you will discover how easy it is to come home with an overwhelming amount of apples. Once you have had your share of eating fresh apples, baking apple pie<\/a>, and making applesauce, it is time to get serious about preserving apples before they go bad.<\/p>\n There are thousands of varieties of apples available across the nation from backyard trees, u-pick apple orchards, local farm stands, and grocery stores. Here are some tips for achieving good-quality apples when preserved.<\/p>\n There are some apples that are better for certain preserving methods than others. Choose the preservation method that is best for your apple variety:<\/p>\n Since there are so many regional varieties of apples, you may not see your type on the list. If you are picking apples from a local orchard, ask which apples are best for the method you want to use to preserve them.<\/p>\n Harvest high quality, fully develop apples with smooth skin, crispy and juicy flesh, and well colored for their variety. Apples should be harvested when they are physiologically mature but before their peak ripeness. Mature apples have finished developing and will continue to ripen and sweeten after picking.<\/p>\n Apples are ready to pick once they are fully colored instead of green. The seeds will have turned from white to brown, and the flesh should feel firm, but not hard. The apples will taste sweet instead of starchy.<\/p>\n There is a variety of insects, disease and biological disorders of apples that can cause spots on the skin of apples. Most often the damage is just cosmetic and can be removed by peeling.<\/p>\n It is ok to trim off bad areas if the rest of the apple looks good, but avoid preserving apples that are badly damaged, bruised, or infested with worms and bugs. It is also best not to use apples that have been on the ground for a while or eaten by wildlife. Windfall apples are likely to contain bacteria and mold spores.<\/p>\n Here are some ideas for preserving apples, including how to store in a cool area, freeze for future baking, dehydrate for snacking, and several ways to home can apples from sauce to jelly.<\/p>\n My favorite tool for preparing a lot of apples is an apple peeler corer tool<\/a> that peels, slices, and cores apples.<\/p>\n Store only good-quality apples without any bruising, insect, or disease damage. Cool apples quickly after harvesting to slow ripening. Apples that are mature but not fully ripe will last longer when stored.<\/p>\n The easiest way to preserve apples is in your refrigerator in a humidity drawer. Dedicate one drawer just for apples, use the low-humidity setting, and open the vent to allow ethylene gas to escape. Apples can last several months stored at 40 \u030aF in the refrigerator.<\/p>\n Colder temperatures allow apples to be stored longer. Select apple varieties that are known for their storage capabilities for the best results. Tart apples with firm flesh and thick skins will last longer in storage. Sweet-tasting apples have more natural sugars that will break down quicker. Be sure to use these apples first.<\/p>\n Air circulation is important for long-term storage. Apples release ethylene gas that can increase the ripening process. Space the apples out in a single layer, so they are not touching, or nestle them in shredded paper, and store in well-ventilated boxes or crates.<\/p>\n Ideal storage conditions for apples are at a temperature of 32 to 40\u02daF and 80 to 90% relative humidity. Apples can last up to 2 to 6 months depending on the variety.<\/p>\n While apples can keep for a long time when stored in a refrigerator or root cellar, they may begin to go bad. Sort through frequently and remove any soft or rotten fruit. If your apples are getting soft, it may be best to turn them into applesauce that can be frozen or canned.<\/p>\n Freeze in apple quarters, sliced apples, or applesauce. Depending on the variety, most frozen apple pieces will soften when frozen, but may retain their shape.<\/p>\n Use frozen apples as you would fresh in cooked or baked recipes. Thaw before using and include the liquid. Frozen apples can also be blended up into smoothies, mashed into applesauce, jam, or cooked in oatmeal.<\/p>\n Having a supply of frozen peeled apple slices is useful for future baking into pies, crisps, and other desserts. You can freeze fresh apple slices for up to 6 months.<\/p>\n Think about how you will use the apples and freeze in the amounts that work for your recipes. I like to freeze in 2-pound batches because that is the amount I need to make an apple pie<\/a>. You can also add all the spices for apple pie filling and freeze it for future pies.<\/p>\n To help prevent the apples from browning, dip the slices in a lemon water bath or an ascorbic acid mixture, such as Fruit-Fresh<\/a> (follow the instructions on the container). For a lemon water bath, fill a large pot with about a gallon of cold water and juice from one lemon or 1\/2 cup of bottled lemon juice<\/a>. Soak freshly cut pieces for 10 minutes in a pre-treatment solution of choice.<\/p>\n A sugar coating helps preserve texture and flavor, but you can also freeze apples plain with good results if you plan on using them within 2 to 3 months.<\/p>\n Frozen apple slices will keep for 3 to 6 months in the freezer before losing texture and flavor.<\/p>\n Make the applesauce in a slow cooker using the recipe below, or simply simmer in a large saucepan until tender, and remove the skins and seeds using a food mill or food strainer.<\/p>\n Let the applesauce cool, and pack in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. Leave about 1-inch headspace to allow for expansion, and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy. Applesauce can be stored in the freezer for 8 to 10 months.<\/p>\n With the help of a dehydrator or oven, you can dry apples to make them last longer. Just slice the apples, place the pieces on the trays of your dehydrator, and dry until leathery or crisp. The delicious flavor of the apples intensifies when dried, so don’t be afraid to mix apple varieties together for an unforgettable flavor combination.<\/p>\n Drying apples is a great way to preserve the fresh fall harvest. This article covers three ways to dehydrate apples, including air-drying, oven drying, and by using a food dehydrator.<\/p>\n These thin and crispy cinnamon apple chips are a great snack when you are craving something sweet and crunchy. Learn how to make homemade apple chips in an air-fryer or oven.<\/p>\n Home canning apples is a great way to preserve them into shelf-stable jars. Properly processed jars of fruit will last 12 to 18 months as long as lids remain sealed, and stored in a cool, dark location. Check out the links below to see how to preserve apples into canned apples, applesauce, apple juice, or apple jelly.<\/p>\n If you don’t have a boiling water bath canner, you can use a large pot to process the jars. The pot needs to be tall enough to cover the tops of the jars with a few inches of water, plus at least two more inches of space to prevent water from splashing out of the pot as it boils. Place a rack or a layer of canning rings on the bottom of the pot to hold the jars up and away from direct heat, so they won\u2019t break. You may need to can in batches depending on the size of your pot.<\/p>\n Canning fresh apples is a great way to get the taste of the season all year round. Learn how to home can plain apples slices, quarters, or chunks for your food storage shelves.<\/p>\n Making your own applesauce is not only able to provide you with a healthy snack, but it can also be a great way for you to save money at the grocery store. Read the following article to see how to make applesauce and can it in a water bath canner.<\/p>\n Homemade apple juice tastes much better than store bought juice because it doesn’t have many of the preservatives that store bought juices have. Making your own apple juice gives you the opportunity to choose from different types of apples as well as decide how sweet or tart you want it. Learn how to make apple juice and home can it for your food storage shelves.<\/p>\n Apple jelly is a great treat for fall. It’s perfect for topping for biscuits, toast, and adding sweetness to yogurt. Half pints of apple jelly makes a nice gift too. See how to make and home can apple jelly with no added pectin at the article below.<\/p>\n If you have crabapples, this recipe will put that tart fruit to good use. Making crabapple jelly is a delicious way to preserve the harvest. It can be served as a condiment with meats, poultry, and seafood, or on toast for breakfast.<\/p>\n Apple scrap vinegar is a great use for apple scraps, the cores and peels leftover from preserving apples. This vinegar takes time to ferment, but patience pays off with a tasty vinegar that can be used to flavor foods. It can be used in place of apple cider vinegar in any recipe except canning.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Apple picking is a great excuse to spend quality time with friends and family as you pick up some fresh apples for pies, snacks, or just plain eating whole. I hope I have given you some ideas to help you preserve your fall apples so you can enjoy them longer.<\/p>\n You May Also Like:<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether you are new to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years, you will benefit from some planning each year. You will find everything you need to organize and plan your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook, Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\r\nTips for Preserving Apples<\/h2>\n
Match the Right Variety to Preservation Method<\/h3>\n
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Harvest Mature Apples<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nAvoid Damaged Apples<\/h3>\n
Methods of Preserving Apples<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nStoring Apples<\/h3>\n
Refrigerator Crisper Drawer<\/h4>\n
Root Cellar<\/h4>\n
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Freezing Apples<\/h3>\n
Freezing Sliced Apples<\/h4>\n
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Freezing Applesauce<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Homemade Crockpot Applesauce<\/span>\n <\/div>\n Making crockpot applesauce is so easy that you really don't even need a recipe. Simply pile the peeled and cored apples into the crockpot with a few flavorings, and let it slow cook to a delicious homemade applesauce.<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nDrying Apples<\/h3>\n
3 Ways to Dehydrate Apples<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Dehydrate Apples with a Food Dehydrator<\/span>\n <\/div>\n Dehydrating apples is a great way to preserve the harvest. Dried apples can be used in so many ways, including crumbled on morning oatmeal, re-hydrated for baked goods, and as a sweet snack right out of the jar.<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nCinnamon Apple Chips<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Cinnamon Apple Chips<\/span>\n <\/div>\n These thin and crispy cinnamon apple chips are a great snack when you are craving something sweet and crunchy. Learn how to make homemade apple chips in an air-fryer or oven.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nCanning Apples<\/h3>\n
Canning Plain Apples<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Canning Apples for Food Storage<\/span>\n <\/div>\n Canning apples is a great way to preserve the fresh flavor to enjoy throughout the year. Learn how to home can plain apples slices, quarters, or chunks for your food storage shelves.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nCanning Applesauce<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Homemade Applesauce for Canning<\/span>\n <\/div>\n Do you love going apple picking in the fall? Here is a great way to preserve apples by turning them into homemade applesauce and canning it to enjoy all winter.<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nCanning Apple Juice<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Canning Homemade Apple Juice<\/span>\n <\/div>\n Homemade apple juice tastes so much better than store-bought juice, and you can preserve it without added sugar. Learn how to make apple juice and home can it for your food storage shelves.<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nSpiced Apple Jelly<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Spiced Apple Jelly Recipe (No Added Pectin)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n This spiced apple jelly recipe livens up the plain apple flavor with some traditional pairings including lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nCrabapple Jelly<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\n Homemade Crabapple Jelly with No Added Pectin<\/span>\n <\/div>\n Transform the tart flavor of crabapples into a delicious homemade crabapple jelly. Crabapples have enough natural pectin so no additional pectin is needed for this crabapple jelly recipe.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\nApple Scrap Vinegar<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>\n Homemade Apple Scrap Vinegar<\/span>\n <\/div>\n Save those apple scraps! You can ferment and turn them into apple scrap vinegar to flavor foods and use in DIY household cleaners.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Check out this recipe<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
Good planning is key to a successful vegetable garden<\/h2>\r\n
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