Fall is coming and apple trees are bursting with apples!
Apples can be preserved by canning, freezing, dehydrating, jams, jellies, fruit butter, and pickling. The best varieties for preserving are crisp, cooking varieities. Some suggested varieties for different types of preserving can be found from the University of Illinois Extension.
It is best to preserve the fruit shortly after harvest. Use apples that are neither too green nor too ripe. Avoid using apples held in cold storage for an extended period of time as the pH level can change.
Learn more about preserving apples in Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe: Apples from K-State Research and Extension. More options are available from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Photo: KSRE
