We tend to do things up big around here, and canning applesauce is no exception. Between my visionary brother-in-law and my efficiency-perfecter/handyman husband, we have quite the set up.
If you've ever tried processing apples by yourself, you know it's not a quick easy task. It seems to take forever to get enough apples prepared for 50 quarts of sauce, besides being boring when you're the only one doing it. So, why not gather a few families and make it together? Surely you've heard the old "many hands make light work" thing. In this case it was most definitely true.
Several years ago we gave the whole bulk applesauce deal a shot. With so many families needing such a large number processed, we were able to get together and purchase several bins of apples from a local orchard. Two things: bulk prices are cheaper (which means lower cost per quart if you're purchasing anyway), and quality is better and more time efficient than trying to use blemished wind-falls.
The two go-getter brothers have made a rather nice kitchen set up for the processing, including an apple chopping machine, a 10-burner gas stove (plus several more outdoor propane burners), a giant stainless steel food strainer, and two canning pans - the largest of which holds 70 quarts at a time!
Washing apples and removing stems outdoors.
This is my man. The genius fabricator that made the equipment.
The 70 quart water-bath canner.
The result of a day's work? 970 quarts done!
Not our biggest year yet, but it was nice to be finished by mid-afternoon!
No comments:
Post a Comment