Spiced Pickled Crab Apples
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds crab apples
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
Instructions:
- Wash the crab apples thoroughly and remove any stems.
- Poke each crab apple with a fork a few times to allow the brine to penetrate.
- In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice, peppercorns, and mustard seeds.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the prepared crab apples to the boiling mixture and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the crab apples for about 15 minutes, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crab apples to sterilized jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace.
- Bring the remaining liquid in the saucepan back to a boil and pour it over the crab apples in the jars, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Seal the jars with lids and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Store the pickled crab apples in the refrigerator for at least a week before enjoying.
How to Prepare:
These spiced pickled crab apples are a delightful addition to any charcuterie board or as a tangy accompaniment to roasted meats. They also make for a unique and flavorful gift. Just place a few crab apples in a decorative jar, tie a ribbon around it, and present it to your loved ones.
Preparation Time:
The preparation time for this recipe is approximately 30 minutes.
Spiced Crab Apples
Ingredients:
- 4 cups crab apples
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
Instructions:
- Wash the crab apples and remove the stems.
- In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice, and peppercorns.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the crab apples to the boiling mixture and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the crab apples for about 10 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crab apples to sterile jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace.
- Bring the remaining liquid in the saucepan to a boil and pour it over the crab apples in the jars, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Seal the jars with lids and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Store the spiced crab apples in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks before consuming for the flavors to develop.
How to Prepare:
These spiced crab apples are perfect as a garnish for your favorite cozy desserts like apple pie or crumble. You can also enjoy them as a sweet and tangy snack straight from the jar.
Preparation Time:
The preparation time for this recipe is approximately 20 minutes.
Can It: Spiced Crabapples
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds crabapples
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice
Instructions:
- Wash the crabapples and remove the stems.
- In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the crabapples to the boiling mixture and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the crabapples for about 20 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crabapples to sterilized canning jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace.
- Bring the remaining liquid in the saucepan to a boil and pour it over the crabapples in the jars, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Seal the jars with lids and process them in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the canner and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Store the canned spiced crabapples in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
How to Prepare:
These canned spiced crabapples are a versatile ingredient that can be used in various recipes. They can be served alongside roasted meats, added to salads for a pop of flavor, or used as a topping for desserts like cheesecake or ice cream.
Preparation Time:
The preparation time for this recipe is approximately 30 minutes.
Spiced Crabapple Jelly
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds crabapples
- 6 cups water
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
Instructions:
- Wash the crabapples and remove the stems.
- In a large saucepan, combine the crabapples and water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the crabapples are soft.
- Using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the liquid from the crabapples into a clean pot.
- Add the sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves to the pot with the liquid.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Continue boiling the mixture until it reaches the setting point, usually around 220°F (105°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Remove the pot from the heat and skim off any foam that may have formed on the surface.
- Using a ladle, pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving about ¼ inch of headspace.
- Seal the jars with lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Store the spiced crabapple jelly in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
How to Prepare:
This spiced crabapple jelly is a delightful addition to breakfast toast, biscuits, or scones. It can also be used as a glaze for meats or a sweet condiment for cheese plates.
Preparation Time:
The preparation time for this recipe is approximately 1 hour.
Spiced Whole Crabapples
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds crabapples
- 6 cups water
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice
Instructions:
- Wash the crabapples and remove the stems.
- In a large pot, combine the water, sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the crabapples to the boiling mixture and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the crabapples for about 20 minutes, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crabapples to sterilized jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace.
- Boil the remaining liquid in the pot until it thickens slightly, then pour it over the crabapples in the jars.
- Seal the jars with lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Store the spiced whole crabapples in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
How to Prepare:
These spiced whole crabapples are a delightful treat on their own or as a complement to a cheese or charcuterie platter. They can also be used as a topping for desserts like ice cream or incorporated into savory dishes like roasted poultry.
Preparation Time:
The preparation time for this recipe is approximately 45 minutes.
Canning Homemade Crabapple Jelly
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds crabapples
- 6 cups water
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions:
- Wash the crabapples and remove the stems.
- In a large pot, combine the crabapples and water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the crabapples are soft.
- Using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the liquid from the crabapples into a clean pot.
- Add the sugar and lemon juice to the pot with the liquid.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Continue boiling the mixture until it reaches the setting point, usually around 220°F (105°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Remove the pot from the heat and skim off any foam that may have formed on the surface.
- Using a ladle, pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving about ¼ inch of headspace.
- Seal the jars with lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Store the homemade crabapple jelly in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
How to Prepare:
Canned homemade crabapple jelly is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed on toast, pancakes, or even as a glaze for roasted meats. It also makes a great gift for family and friends who appreciate delicious homemade preserves.
Preparation Time:
The preparation time for this recipe is approximately 1 hour.