Easy Way To Store Your Apple Harvest

I have an apple tree and I recently visited an apple orchard, so I have lots of apples to preserve.  I plan to make applesauce by canning and I plan to freeze apples. If you want to freeze your apples for later use there is a super easy way to store them.  Apples are usually peeled, sliced and cored before being frozen. I have this apple peeler/corer. It makes peeling and coring apples quick and easy.

Steps To Storing Your Apples

1. You can use a knife or vegetable peeler as well to peel and core apples.
2. Wash apples under cold running water. Rub, making sure you have enough friction to get all the dirt off the surface.
3. Peel apples with whatever peeler you prefer.  Remove all the skin.
4. Remove the core with a sharp knife if you did not use an apple peeler/corer.
5. Using a clean cutting board, and slice the apples with future use in mind.  If you plan to make apple pie the slices need to be thin. If you plan to use them for foods such as smoothies then cut them into chunks.
6. Apples will turn brown fairly quickly so preserve them quickly.  I use lemon juice. I combine 4-5 cups of water and 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix it well.  After the apples are sliced I submerge them for 5 minutes making sure all the apples are covered. There are other options that can be used, such as powder form of ascorbic acid. You can sprinkle it over the the apples making sure all apples get covered.
7. After the apple slices have soaked pour the apples and liquid into a colander to drain.  Do not rinse. Spread the apple slices out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper prevents the apples from sticking to the baking sheet.  Make sure none of the apples are touching each other to prevent slices freezing to each other.
8. Once the apples are frozen place them in a freezer container of your choice.  Remember to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. The apples can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.
9. When you are ready to use take out a container or if you need just a few slices remove what you need from the freezer container.

Enjoy goodness all year round with freezing harvest!

“To dwell is to garden.” Martin Heidegger