What can I do with crabapples?

September 16, 2008 3:50 PM

What can I do with crabapples?

The trees outside of my apartment are heavy with crabapples, which are just about ripe right now. I can't eat them straight, but can I cook something nice with them? A jam, for example? All ideas welcome; personal experience a plus; links to recipes are great.

I'm a novice in most cooking skills but willing to experiment. I don't have any special equipment, but I could buy something if there was a decent chance of re-use.
[stipulate that the crabapples are mine]

posted by grobstein to food & drink (8 comments total)

Crabapple Jelly is all I know....tasty however.
posted by rongorongo at 3:57 PM on September 16, 2008

Do as the American frontiersmen did and make hard apple cider and apple jack out of it! Here's a recipe that doesn't use a cider press, although it would be cooler if you made your own cider press.
posted by emyd at 4:05 PM on September 16, 2008

I'm not sure where you are...but here in the north (michigan) crabapples are a staple for birds that return in the spring.. Robins, for instance, get back here before the worms/insects are available, they survive on crab apples...

leave a few on the trees for the birds... please
posted by HuronBob at 5:28 PM on September 16, 2008

My mom used to marinate them / pickle them... not sure of the exact process but their crunchiness was an asset.
posted by polexa at 6:08 PM on September 16, 2008

Ditto Crabapple jelly -- the yummiest, and so pretty. Don't make it too sweet though, go easy on the sugar and let a bit of the crabby tartness remain.
posted by airplain at 7:38 PM on September 16, 2008

When I was a kid we used to have massive kid wars with them. It was crabapples verses plums. Crabapples hurt like hell but plums make a huge mess and will stain your clothes -- guaranteed to get a whuppin' from Mom later.

Barring that, applesauce or cider would be good. I know that we can rent a press from the local brew store, Steinbart's. Maybe there's some place like that in your neck of the woods if you're not up for making a press on your own. Get a buncha friends to help!
posted by amanda at 8:31 PM on September 16, 2008

cattle food, horses or pigs nearby?
posted by docmccoy at 9:00 PM on September 16, 2008

cattle food, horses or pigs nearby?

Nah, I live in a city. These are good answers, though! Keep 'em coming. Thanks!
posted by grobstein at 10:57 AM on September 17, 2008