Can I use desert apples for jam/jelly/chutney?

kelvinr2d2 · « **on:** October 31, 2008, 20:01 »

Hi all,
I have lots of desert apples and want to make something with them. I am not wanting to store them whole. All the recipes I can find are listing cooking apples. Any ideas/recipes for me to try. Why can't I use desert apples? Too sweet?

mother hen · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2008, 00:57 »

kelvin you can sprinkle in some lemon juice to apple recipes to make them taste a bit tarter and less sugar, just taste as you go, no problem using desert apples instead of cookers. Texture of cooked apple may be different but I wouldnt worry if you want to use them up, Im sure they will taste great. Apple sauce, pies, crumbles, turnovers, yum yum

:chef:

kelvinr2d2 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2008, 20:38 »

Thanks - how do they fare in jams/jellies?

mother hen · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2008, 22:05 »

I dont think it will be a problem ..............but lemon marmalade sets, so I would add a squeeze of lemon juice to sharpen the flavour but keep sugar same for the set. With a chutney the vinager element should offset the dessert element of the apple. Cooking is all about trial and error, I would stick with the basic proportions of a recipe but just tweak the flavours little by little. It should work.

Oscar Too · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2008, 15:13 »

Chutney - They won't stay together as well - you'll end up with an apple puree as opposed to a chutney. Put other ingredients in to add texture - squash or something else.

Jelly - they contain less pectin, so you may want to add extra peel and core from the chutney, or use a pectin sugar. They'll tast fine though - a bit sweeter.

If you have small ones, you can store them in syrup - choose the best apples without any blemishes, cut off the stalks, boil whole (don't core or peel) in a syrup of water, sugar and honey, with some cloves, cinnamon etc, for about 20 minutes, then gently transfer to a clean heated jar with a slotted spoon, top the jar up with syrup, keep til January and eat with your porridge. Yummy!

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Can I use desert apples for jam/jelly/chutney?

Oscar Too