Stupid question about apples

Sally87

I moved into a new house last year and there are 3 apple trees in the back garden, 2 that are smaller and I think must be eating apples (1 red/1 green), and one shorter but much thicker tree absolutely covered with large green (I assume, cooking) apples. Last autumn, after I'd used what I could and the neighbours had had some, the rest just went to waste as I didn't know what to do with them :eek:

So my question is, how can I store them once they're ready this year? All I could think was apple puree but I don't have much room in my freezer (and don't much like it anyway!). If I just picked them and packed them in boxes in the shed would they go rotten? What else can I do with them, and the excess eating apples?

I realise I sound a bit simple , but I've not had a tree before and really don't have a clue.

STORM_2

hI, i think stewing them is your only answer I have two trees and two pear trees. This is what I have to do to ensure that they are dont go to waste. Just a thought you could also try exchanging them for other fruit or veg thats if you know anyone who grows thier own.

Trishh_2

Cider? :beer:

bizzylizzy

Could you put them in a box outside your gate with a sign saying "Help yourself", that way the apples will be used by someone and not just left to rot?

Sally87

Thanks for your answers, I did think about cider but I think you need presses and all sorts, the idea about swapping them for other fruit & veg is good. I do try and give away what I can but the thing is, I really resent having to buy apples through the rest of the year when there are so many here! I'd like to be able to make apple crumble or pie, etc. would it be possible to freeze them in slices? I take it they would get rotten if I just picked them and stored them then? Sorry for all the questions.

nementai

We used to keep apples for months.
We would put them in boxes wrapped in newspaper.
I think as long as they're dry, they should keep for months - we were still eating them 6 months after picking (though they were usually a bit wrinkly by then!).
Things you need to be careful of are;
1. Make sure they're stored somewhere cool and dry.
2. Be sure not to put any bruised or damaged in - those ones are for stewing!
3. Check them every couple of weeks for ones that have gone brown or mouldy - once one goes the rest will follow swiftly!
Good luck!

Farway

Keeping apples does depend upon the variety, some will keep and mature [like Cox], others will not, like James Grieve

As you do not know the variety this year will be trial & error

tanith

Yep I'd have a go at storing some... as someone else said , wrap the good apples in newspaper individually and store them in cardboard fruit boxes.. you can pick them up at the supermarket usually.. keep them in a frostfree dark place.. I stored some in the drawers of an old chest out in my garage and they lasted about 4 or 5 months so would easily last till christmas

Sally87

Thank you! I guess that was what I wanted to hear I'll try to use as many as I can while they're on the tree then store the rest and see how it goes! I think the cooking apples might be bramley's but I'm not sure. Thanks to everybody for your help.

jdeb901

You can dry them. Like any other dried fruit. Peel them, core them and slice them quite thinly so you have rings. Thread them on to a long garden cane so there is a littel air space between each ring. Leave the cane in the sun (tricky bit). When they are completely dry they keep for months.

Put them on your muesli

Mustang

I make fruit leathers. Really simple, very nice tasting (soft & chewy), and keeps for absolute ages without freezing.