Friday, March 27, 2009

Apple Gunk. What is it & what do I do with it?

It is something I decided to save in my freezer after processing apples for the sauce. Last fall I bought a food mill similar to this one.



After cooking the apples until soft, you run them through the food mill. The wide, flat area is where the sauce comes out & the cone-shaped attachment is where the skin & thicker apple parts come out. The part I call "gunk". I always cut up the apples before cooking, making sure no seeds are in the cooked apples. I really hate to throw away anything that might useable so I put containers of it in the freezer. I take it out & use it for smoothies in the morning. The pectin in the skin makes the smoothies quite thick after it sets a while so I add more water to thin.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone using apples treated with pesticides. The chemicals are most concentrated in the skin. Please eat organic if at all possible. I know you pay a little more, but the savings come from less doctor visits. Really. Chemicals, bad. Nature, good.

Can you think of more ways to use "apple gunk"?

We are headed to the farm this afternoon..for sure...no doubt about it. Can you tell I'm excited???

11 comments:

SkippyMom said...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, sounds like fun!

I try never to peel our apples even when cooking them because all the nutrition [or most of it] is in the skin.

I like what you do with the "gunk" - we love smoothies.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, I have no clue. Sorry.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

Have a great time at the farm! Take pictures!...debbie

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Chicken treats? I know my hens would have loved it!

Melissa ~ Mom to 6 said...

I read on someone's blog (wish I could find it now) that they made apple cider vinegar out of their leftovers. I like your idea and of course, chickens would love it.

angie said...

Hi Barb. Have fun at the farm.

Kelle at The Never Done Farm said...

Chicken treats are okay, just know that apples and other fruit can cause the hens to cut back in their laying, something in the fruit( blonde moment can't recall the name)

I use our apple gunk to make apple jelly and apple syrup. Just add enough water to keep from scorching and simmer to allow juices to release. Now drain through cheesecloth and use juice for jelly or syrup( I use organic raw cane sugar and thicken with cornstarch, when ready to use). I also do this with the apples leftover from making cider. What is left goes to the compost pile.

Anonymous said...

You can make vinegar out of that stuff. If it's soft and there are no seeds, I use it in apple bread, etc.

When I make applesauce, I generally cut the cores out, cook the apples, then run the cooked apples skin & all through the blender. That way I get all the fiber & vitamins from the skin in my sauce... Just an idea for the next time you make some.

Thistledew Farm said...

So many creative ideas about using the skins - I was going to suggest giving them to the horses! My bad!

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

I would do apple jam to pancakes and perhaps some meat dishes, just add a little bit of sugar or honey(not to much though).
I hope You´ll have a wonderful weekend!
Christer.

The Three Little Bears said...

Ah, our chickens would love apple gunk.

PS: if you get a chance - check out my blog today. I have questions about soil that I think you might be able to give advice. Thank you!