Apples........mmm........

Every year I have grandiose illusions of canning apple butter and chutney and every year, half of that big ole bag of apples ends up getting thrown in the woods for the birds and animals.  You see, in the past we have always taken the kids apple picking, so having that big ole bag of apples was more about the experience than the apple.

This year we did not go apple picking, but somehow a big ole bag of apples managed to find it's way here anyways.  My parents stopped over one afternoon and bestowed them upon me.  Well..........somehow when someone else pays for the apples and was thoughtful enough to buy them for me, there was no way I could just toss them out, now was there?

Out came the big canning pot and the recipe books.  "Chutney"....there's just something about that word I like.  Don't ask me why, because I couldn't tell you... I haven't ever had Chutney....but I just like the way it sounds.

Soooo......when I spotted Curried Apple Chutney in my canning book, I thought...mmmm that sounds good.  Apples, raisins, sweet and hot peppers, brown sugar and vinegar...it has to be good, no? 

The house was filled with the complex aromas of the ingredients and of course Hannah walked around wrinkling her nose and saying...ewwwww.  I have to admit, that I was not sure that I was going to like it either, but heck....Ken will eat it...he'll eat anything :).

Next up.........."Apple Butter".  I used this recipe and the only thing I can say is OMG....this is GOOD stuff!  After canning the apple butter, I kind of thought I should have made more of the butter and less of the chutney, but.....I guess I can go get some more apples :)

Surprised to see me post 2 days in a row?  I will admit, I have not been very good about blogging these last few months, but life is busy.  After reading Margene's post about her act of sisterhood support for  three dear friends who will make it all the way through 365, I decided to join her.  (I think it was that sisterhood word that got to me.....grin)

Comments

[sandy]

The Barefoot Contessa calls her chutney "Conserve" which I think is a much nicer term. That's what I call it.
Everything looks wonderful. Bet the smell is intoxicating!
xo

[Julie]

Here is a recipe for chutney that I made this week--also uses up green tomatoes. It is really tasty.
(scroll down the page)
http://theslowcook.blogspot.com/2007/11/struggle-to-survive.html

[kathy b]

Wow you are some determined poster women! The poster women! I love it.

[Debbie]

Hey! If you don't like that chutney, send it right over. We'll eat it here. Thanks for the apple butter recipe. Since you've already tried it, I know it's a good one.

[tiennie]

I don't have those aspirations. But I do love apple butter!

[Lisa]

Must have been an apple sort of weekend! I made some homemade applesauce - it tastes so good and freezes well.

[Lorraine]

Kim- Chutney is lovely with ham, and I have a superb recipe for a chicken curry that you make in the slowcooker- perfect with the chutney.

I love apple butter. A true New-Englander would never waste anything.

[Wool Winder]

I'm sure the chutney will be tasty. I bet she didn't like the smell of the vinegar.

[Laurie]

Gotta remember that apple butter.

Welcome to the Blogging Sisterhood of November Madness!

[Kathy]

I'm in too on this crazy ass daily blogging :-)

[Denise]

I love the thought of making my own chutneys for the winter, but I never seem to get around to it! Glad you found the time, you'll certainly be glad of it later I'm sure :)

[Kate/Massachusetts]

I make apple butter in the crockpot. It doesn't have to be watched and it's nearly impossible to burn. :-)

[Manise]

I love chutney! I'll take what Ken doesn't eat. It's great to eat with pork, chicken and beef. I made a peach chutney once which was to die for. So glad you'll be blogging every day. I love reading you, sister :-)

[Angie]

I did the same thing you did....make chutney without ever tasting it. I made tomato chutney and it is wonderful with pork chops or a pork roast. It is heavily spiced which makes it a perfect fall and winter condiment. Yummy.

[Jean]

I made apple butter for all my neighbors with a Happy Fall Y'all theme. I'll bring you a jar when we come up in a few weeks.

[Carole]

I like chutney so if Ken doesn't like it you can send it my way.

[Rocky Moreno]

That looks yummy!

[Gale]

Canning was something my mother used to do for our family. Up until the year she died she put away countless pints and quarts of fruits and vegetables, jams, jellys, chow-chows and other such goodies. Among the family favourites were various different chutney style delights, which graced many a simple meal with their complex, spicy charms. Thank you for the walk down memory lane.

[margene]

WOOHOO!! w00t!!!!! So many of my fabulous pals are joining in and it just feels me up with feelings of friendship and joy. Your apple chutney looks so tasty!!

[Nancy]

I've never tasted chutney, so I don't know if I would like it either.

I have a wonderful apple butter recipe that is baked in a huge roaster. It turns a lovely brown color, like those in the grocery store. I haven't made it in years because I don't have access to apples anymore other than the ones I can buy. I prefer to use windfall apples. It gives me satisfaction to know that I "saved" the apples.