You’re seeing apples everywhere aren’t you? They’re crazy this time of year. And when you live in a state like New York that’s known for it’s apples, you really see ’em everywhere. It’s almost as bad as pumpkin (which has already been popping up, too). And I’m sure you’re thinking, “I’M OVER IT.”
This recipe is a bit different than your average September apple-fare, however.
The fall is when we start baking. Or making more comfort foods.
The salads and fresh garden veggies are waning, and the cravings for macaroni & cheese, chicken soup, beef stew and roast meats come back. That means pork chops & roast pork, which both of my parents adore.
Jay & I do not adore pork. Bacon is one thing, pork chops are another. So when I found myself with an overload of beautiful New York apples, I decided this recipe from Chatelaine was just the thing to use some of ’em up.
Plus it was insanely easy.
SPICED APPLE RINGS (from Chatelaine)
Ingredients:
- 6 cups sugar
- 1 2/3 cups white vinegar
- 3 cups (preferably bottled) clean water
- 18 medium apples
- cinnamon sticks
- dry whole spices- such as star anise, cardamom, cloves
- lemon juice (to prevent apples from browning)
Directions:
- Combine sugar, vinegar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Be sure sugar has melted, then turn off heat.
- Wash and dry apples. Have lemon juice standing by. Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of each apple, then core the apples.
- Cut 4-5 thick horizontal slices from each apple and dip in lemon juice. Put some spices in the bottom of each jar – just 2-3 of each spice. Rebuild apples in the jar, stacking them so hot liquid can circulate. Insert a cinnamon stick through center of apples (where the cores used to be.)
- Pour enough hot sugar/vinegar mixture over apples to completely fill to the rim – no headspace. Gently push down on apples to loosen any air bubbles.
- Clean jar rims, put lid on and screw bands on to fingertip tight.
- Place jars in canning pot and bring to a rolling boil for 15 minutes (if using small jars like I used, process for only 5 minutes). Add some cool water to the canner at the end, wait 15 minutes then remove jars and allow to cool. Let sit for several weeks before serving.
I used a cinnamon stick in each jar, along with 4 cardamom pods & about 1/4 teaspoon anise seeds. Cloves, star anise, or any other wintery or autumn-y spices would be perfect.
Also I do not have an apple corer- I have an apple slicer, which doesn’t help in this situation. So what I did was I sliced the apple into the slices I needed, then used a Wilton pastry tip to pop out the core of each slice. Voila. Easy peasy.
Some of my slices broke as I was coring them, so I just tucked them in the jars anyway.
Suggestions for use: Put a ring or two on a grilled cheese sandwich, serve with pork chops or roast pork.
Soundtrack: George Harrison – “Apple Scruffs”
Sources & credits: Red Pyrex clear-bottom bowl; vintage, rainbow dishtowel; vintage, cutting board; Ikea, knife; Calphalon Contemporary series, pastry tip; Wilton.
I'm Marilla. A 30-something artist, hobby baker, home canning enthusiast, gardener, DIY-er, wife, mommy of a baby boy and dog mom (to another baby boy) from New York. 
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve take into account your
stuff prior to and you are just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have got right here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it.
You’re making it entertaining and you continue to care for to
stay it smart. I can not wait to learn much more from you.
This is really a great web site.
But a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great design.
continuously i used to read smaller posts which as well clear their motive, and
that is also happening with this post which I am reading
now.
Nice response in return of this query with genuine arguments
and describing all on the topic of that.
Highly energetic post, I loved that bit. Will there be a part 2?
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have take note your stuff prior
to and you’re just too magnificent. I really like what you’ve obtained right here,
certainly like what you’re saying and the best way wherein you say
it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to
stay it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you.
This is actually a terrific website.
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue on the topic of this piece
of writing here at this blog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting at this place.
Great article, just what I needed.
Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the
other person’s website link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do same in favor of you.
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment.
I do think that you should write more about this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t speak about these
issues. To the next! Kind regards!!
You really make it seem really easy together with
your presentation however I find this topic to be
actually one thing which I think I might never understand.
It kind of feels too complicated and very wide for me.
I’m looking forward for your next put up, I will try to get
the hold of it!
I like what you guys are usually up too.
This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the
amazing works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.
I always used to study piece of writing in news papers but
now as I am a user of internet so from now I am using net for articles, thanks to web.
I relish, result in I found exactly what I was looking for.
You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist
with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to
rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
If you know of any please share. Thank you!
First off I would like to say great blog!
I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your head
before writing. I’ve had a difficult time clearing my
thoughts in getting my thoughts out. I do enjoy writing but
it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes
are generally lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or hints?
Appreciate it!