Spicy Pickled Crabapples Food

SPICED PICKLED CRAB APPLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large nonreactive pot, mix vinegar and sugar until brown sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil.
• Put cloves and cinnamon sticks in a cheesecloth bag, and tie with a string.
• Add crab apples and spice bag to the pot, and boil until apples are tender.
• Remove the fruit with a slotted spoon, and pack into hot sterilized jars . Add the boiling syrup to within 1/2-inch of the top. Seal.
• Process crab apples in a boiling water canner for 20 minutes.
• Remove from canner and place on a towel-lined counter and let come to room temperature. Listen for the suction pop indicating a good seal. When cool, tighten the bands and store in a cool, dry, dark place for up to one year.

PICKLED CRABAPPLES

Steps:

• Make a spiced syrup by heating together the vinegar, water, sugar and the spices loosely tied in a bag. This should be enough syrup for about 5 pints.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• When cool, add apples and heat slowly, being careful NOT to burst the fruit. (If I remember right bring to just a good "steam").
• Remove from heat and allow to stand overnight.
• Next morning, remove the spice bag and pack apples without reheating, into clean jars and fill to within 1/2 inch of the top of jar with syrup.
• Put on cap, screwing the band tight.
• Process in water bath at simmering temperature (180 degrees F) for 20 minutes.

OLD FASHIONED SPICED CRAB APPLES

Steps:

• Wash the apples well, and leave the stems intact.
• Gently prick the apples all over with a fork or the tip of a small sharp knife. This is so that they don't burst as they cook.
• Combine the vinegar, water, and sugar in a pot.
• Roll over the cardamom pods with a rolling pin or the side of a wine bottle to gently crack them open. Don't lose any of the black seeds. Add the cardamom (seeds and pods) and cloves to the pan and bring to a boil
• Turn down the heat and add the apples to the pot. Simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of your apples. Use your judgement, you don't want the apples to get soft and mushy.
• Carefully remove the apples from the hot liquid and pack them into your jar or jars.
• Strain the pickling liquid and then pour into the jars, completely immersing the fruit. Let cool and then cap and refrigerate.
• The apples can be canned, as well, for longer storage.
• Makes 1 quart

PICKLED CRAB APPLES

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, sugar, cloves and cinnamon in a large stainless-steelpan. Bring to a boil over high heat and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium, add the apples, and cook until barely done, about 5-6 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, pack the apples into clean, dry jars with sealable lids. Laddle in the hot syrup to within 1/2 inch of the jar rims and cover.
• Store jars in a cool, dark place.