other peoples' gardens



Today, the Thrifty Lifestyle means making sure these apples don't go to waste!  They were given to us by generous friends last night.  I promptly picked out some of the best to share with a couple of friends who I thought would appreciate them.  Then I cored and sliced two crockpots' worth and cooked them slowly overnight.  This morning I popped them into the blender and ended up with three full quarts of applesauce to freeze.  Another crockpot is full again this morning for the same purpose...and I'm thinking about making some apple dumplings and an apple cake later today.  At times like this I wish I had a freezer besides the one in our refrigerator. 
The chard quiche I made yesterday was absolutely delicious!  I'm thinking I could make a similar one with the zucchini we've been given.
I'm blessed and thankful to have the time and leisure to work up the harvest of other peoples' gardens. 

15 comments:

  1. What a blessing to have such generous friends. Good for you to not let any go to waste and to share your gift. I sense fall is in the air when apples are ripe!

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  2. That applesauce is going to taste wonderful this winter! I don't think I want to do without my old freezer. It isn't big, but still you would think two people could do without it. But it is very handy for things just like your apples.

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    1. I know. I know. We used to have a small upright chest-type freezer, but I just didn't use it like I should have.....

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  3. Food from a friend's garden is the best gift ever. Truly is :)

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  4. What a blessing! We have had so much rain this summer that our garden has been nearly washed away. We are getting some squash, green beans, tomatoes and cucumbers now but they won't last long.

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  5. I bet your house smells great.....I love baked apples. It has been a long time since I have eaten one.

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  6. I LOVE homemade applesauce and apple butter, too. Do you add sugar, Rebecca, or just use the apples? Susan

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    1. I put some Red Hots (candy) into a couple of the batches. It just depends on the apples whether or not I add sugar. Since I use what I'm given (and really don't make applesauce otherwise) I don't have a favorite kind of apples for applesauce. I prefer a little tart, though. How about you?

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  7. I look forward to fall and getting fresh apples from the tree.

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  8. Now there is a CLEVER idea for making applesauce. A crockpot, why didn't I think of that? We usually get a care package or two of apples from friends later in the fall. I'll be trying your method for applesauce when the time comes. Thanks!

    Darla

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    1. It works for me, Darla :) If you try it, let me know what you think.

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  9. Hi Rebecca, I've done up apples into an apple crisp from my tree today and cooked up a pot of green bean soup with the green beans from my son's garden. We also had cukes in sour cream. Of course I had to have corn bread with that! It's fun to cook with produce from other peoples gardens.
    Your applesauce sounds so good, I don't know if I'll get enough apples from my tree for that though.

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    1. I'm enjoying some cukes, too! Today I'm going to make some chili and add in some shredded zucchini and a few tomatoes that I couldn't use quite fast enough :) I still have a few apples left and no room to freeze anymore. I think I'll make one more batch of sauce and maybe 2 more loaves of apple bread to share. That OUGHT to get me to the bottom of my bushel!

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