Rosy Crabapple or Apple Pie Filling - (Freeze or Can)

Gerry's Note:

This excellent recipe was passed to me along with a pail of the smaller apple crabs. It works great with the fall apples too - especially those not requiring peeling ... works well with any baking apple. I use this with the larger fall apples - some of which do require peeling. When dealing with large quantities of the fall apple crop I double and triple this, refrigerating while preparing pastry using Pastry Dough (Madam Benoit's No Fail Lemon Tang Pastry) - soon have an assembly line going. In short order have pies prepared then go on to making and freezing pie filler for the winter months with the rest of the apples. This does freeze well.Have canned a good many jars but find freezing gives me an equally good product with far less work.

• Total Time: 19 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 4 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 pie

• 6 cups of sliced unpeeled crabapples or 6 cups fall apples
• 1/3 cup water (I use 2/3 cup of water)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (I usually use Realemon)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter or 1 1/2 tablespoons margarine
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Directions:

1. In large pot steam sliced apples 1- 2 minutes.
2. Cool 1- 2 minutes.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and pie filler is ready to use.
4. Hint When dealing with large quantities of apples I prepare double and triple batches of the pie filler, cool and set into the fridge while preparing the pastry.
5. I find using the recipe 'Lemon Tang Pastry' which was passed to me as no-fail pastry works so very well making the preparation of pies for the freezer a snap.
6. Time depends on how fast you can prepare the apples, those with experience do get throught prep time quickly!

Reviews

[Chef #1397315]

I use this with all types of apples and of course crabapples. My favorites in this pie are the crabapples and the Northern Spy apples.

[Chef #1421668]

5 for flavor, but waaay too soupy. Maybe the extra water is only if you're freezing it or something? I actually think this would be a bit on the soupy side even if no water was added. None the less, this was incredibly tastey-- and totally worth the fact that I had to eat it with a spoon! It's a great way to put all those crabapples to use. Next time I'll nix the water and maybe even add a little cornstarch.

[Baby Kato]

Ohhh Gerry. This is so wonderful. We loved this filling. It was so delicious, sharp, sweet, tart, tangy and lemony...just perfect, and so quick and easy to make, why would you ever need another recipe. I love crabapples and always have some shredded in the freezer. The shredded apples worked beautifully in your recipe. The recipe made a dozen beautiful little apple crumb tartlets. One of the best apple pies I have made from Zaar to date. Now that I have made these once, I will be making them again often... and I will be saving all my crabapples for this recipe... Kudo's my friend.