Apples

Apple ginger tart

4 medium apples, cored and cut into thin slices
2 tbs. ginger root, minced or cut into small matchsticks
¼ c. butter
¼ c. sugar
1 9-inch piecrust, store bought or homemade

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium cast iron skillet, melt the butter and stir in the sugar. Cook on low heat for a few minutes. Arrange the apple slices and ginger in layers in the skillet. Cover pan and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, without stirring, until apples are soft. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes. Place the piecrust on top of the apples, tucking in the edges if it is larger than the skillet.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Loosen edges with a butter knife and invert the skillet over a large plate. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Serves 6-8.

Homemade apple sauce

This recipe makes about 3 cups and can be scaled up or down depending on how many apples you want to use up!

6 apples, preferably several different varieties
¼ cup water or apple cider
small handfull of raisins
1 cinnamon stick, optional

Peel and core apples and cut them into chunks. Put apples and raisins in a saucepan with the water or cider. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, until apples are very soft, about 10 minutes. Once soft, allow apples to cook for a few minutes uncovered to boil off extra moisture. Mash, run through a food mill, or press through a mesh strainer, depending on your texture preference. Simple mashing will create a chunkier sauce; the food mill will leave it smooth and creamy. If you like cinnamon, try adding a cinnamon stick while the apples simmer and throw it out before the final steps.

Simple apple crisp

4 c. chopped apples
½ c. sugar or maple syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1 c. rolled oats
1 c. flour
½ c. melted butter or vegetable oil
½ tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the apples, ¼ c. sugar or maple syrup and spices in a bowl and spread into an 8x8 baking pan. Mix together the oats, flour, remaining ¼ c. sugar and salt. Stir in the melted butter or oil and mix well. Spread topping evenly over fruit and bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Serves 4-6. For variation try mixing in ½ c. cranberries, raisins or walnuts with the apples.