I have a small [eating] apple tree. My friend has a massive [cooking] apple tree. Far too many fruit for her and her family.
She said - please have some, Ang. I said my peeling machine would make short work of them. Your What??
I explained my gadget is like an apple lathe, it takes off a sliver of peel, and cores and slices the fruit. After 10 minutes I had a bowlful
And then I blanched, cooled and froze 3 boxes full, ready for autumn pies and crumbles. Next week I'm lending her the peeler. So easy, such a time saver, and minimal debris
To blanch or not to blanch…? With apples we have found it is not necessary. We set the slices on baking trays in the freezer before bagging up so they remain frozen loose.
ReplyDeleteThank you, that tip is a real timesaver, Philip.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing invention! As someone who has probably peeled and chopped about 100 apples in the past month and a half, this sounds very a-peeling! What about windfalls that are half bad or bad chunks? What would you do in this case? I should try freezing raw apple as Philip suggests. Most of mine have been made into stewed fruit with honey or blended fruit amber. I do need to clear out some older stuff from the freezer and use it!
ReplyDeleteI cut off bruised bits before the apple goes on the spikes and it seems to work ok
DeleteMy late mother in law had one of these machines and my daughter used to be allowed to use it when we were prepping for the freezer. She thought it was truly magical (about 3/4 years old) and it also kept her involved in the process of preparing food for winter. At 50, she is now the queen of batch cooking. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful to watch as the ribbon of peel spirals onto the worktop
DeleteHave you had your apple peeler a long time? I have seen one in an antique shop with lots of old kitchen equipment but never seen a new one for sale. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteCs find a few years ago. £5 I think.
DeleteOh my gosh what a useful machine, how clever and yes would make preparing the apples easy!
ReplyDelete👍🍎🍏👍
DeleteI may need to get one of those. Looks like a great timesaver!
ReplyDeleteIt really is
DeleteI have machine envy now! Not that I ever have enough apples to need one. I just like the design.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant engineering!
DeleteI've seen those gadgets but didn't realise they cored and chopped too, very useful
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
You can select which facilities you want. Genius!
ReplyDeleteI was very pleased to be given a bag of Bramley apples by a neighbour yesterday. The gusty winds had made more fallers than they could use. I usually stew them before freezing as they take up less room in the freezer. and then they are perfect for a spoonful on my porridge, serving with custard, an apple Malvern pudding or an apple crumble,
ReplyDeleteSue
I freeze the apples, but do not make them into pies ,crumbles etc until I am ready to use them
DeleteI believe these amazing gadgets have been around almost forever. They are worth looking out for in CS. We eat raw apples every day and use a device that cores and cuts them into wedges, very useful, but it does not take off the peel, which is necessary for cooking.
ReplyDeleteI had one of those wedge cutters but rarely used it, so it went to the CS years ago
DeleteThose machines are a complete joy! I've got one bought cheap from lakeland some years ago because it was slightly damaged. Lent it to next door and their small son was enthralled. Thanks, Philip, for tip re freezing.
ReplyDeleteIt IS a good tip isnt it!
DeleteI used to have one of those when we had all the apple trees on our land in Wales they save so much time don't they. This year it was just a couple of dozen apples and a hand peeler, but I got it done.
ReplyDeleteGreat time saver, and the job done with minimal waste too
DeleteBeen using my own one at home and my ex-boss's at hers. Quite frankly, I'm all peeled out and would not like to see another Apple peeler this side of next autumn! You can do pears too if they're firm enough. I did some today as well. I put a little bit of Apple juice (or whatever you have to hand) to the bottom.of the pan, then add the fruit, either apples on their own or apples and pears combined, some ground cinnamon (nutmeg for the pear on their own) and a little bit of sugar if you're combining eaters and cookers. Simmer until fruit is as soft as you like it (we prefer a bit of crunch) then freeze in whatever containers you're using until required. The really fresh stuff is great on breakfast cereal with some Greek yoghurt! Yummy.
ReplyDeleteI like the tip about nutmeg with pears. 🍐Thankyou 🍐
ReplyDelete