To finish out the year of 'harvesting' we (royal we which really equals Gabe) harvested apples this past fall. Now, I'm not talking about just a few apples. I'm talking barrels and barrels of apples. This is all because of our recently acquired/borrowed apple press. MUST .... MAKE ... CIDER.
Do we have apple trees? No. Do we have a recently purchased apple picker? Why yes, yes we do. MUST ... FIND ... APPLES. Gabe, after purchasing said apple picker promptly set about canvasing the neighborhood for overloaded trees. Stealing other people's apples - don't worry, he asked in most cases. He even convinced our 80 year old neighbor to join in the efforts.
The outcome - about 12 gallons (that's right, I said GALLONS) of freshly pressed apple juice. Some of which will become awesome hard cider. Don't believe me - here's the proof.
Step 1: Place apples in crank area
Step 2: Crank
Step 3: Once the wooden bucket is full (obviously it's not in the above picture), place the wooden plate over the scraps and spin the press down to squeeze out juice into awaiting rubber container.
Step 4: Filter through funnel into awaiting jugs.
Step 5: Sit proudly next to jugs of juice.
Of course apple juice (soon to be cider) wasn't the only thing produced from the apples Gabe picked. We had to BAKE something with them! I came across this recipe for Apple Pie Cookies on Smitten Kitchen's blog and Gabe was sold. My only request was that he help me make the dough. The result - DELICIOUS.
Will you and Gabe adopt me please! I promise to walk the dog and do chores.... just feed me cupcakes, apple pies and hard cider!
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