There is no autumn without apples, indeed!
I had to pick a few from our garden because the branches were simply too full to handle. I was afraid they would break under the weight of all those apples.
So, of course, the apples came into the kitchen. And makes mess… I’ve already made quite a lot of apple purée and apple jam this year, but this time I’m trying something I haven’t made before — canned apples.
We call it kompots in Latvia. Basically, apples in 1:1 sugar syrup, packed into jars and water-bath canned.
I’ve never made it myself before, so I’m curious to see how it turns out.
For the kompot, I started with the syrup. I made mine with 4 L water and about 860 g sugar, bringing it to a boil and then keeping it hot while I prepared the apples.
I cut the apples into quarters and removed the cores. As I cut them, I put the apple quarters into water with a little vinegar added, so they wouldn’t turn brown while I was preparing the rest.
Once all the apples were ready, I packed them into clean jars and covered them with the hot syrup. For spices I choose 3 different options: just vanilla sugar, cinnamon and clove and the last one mojito mint and bit of lemon zest.
Then into the water bath they went for 20 minutes for 1-litre jars.
This is my first time making apple kompot, so now I’m curious to see how those jars will be when we open them in winter.
Have you made apple compote?
Ilze
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Very well done. I haven’t made any compote. We once had a plum tree, fruit of which broke the branch
I find that quite interesting as ‘kompott’ is hugely popular in Estonia but the word simply means a number of fruits actually stewed in a sugary syrup, not the simply syrup poured over the fruit . .. yours will come to be wonderfully handy when the cold weather arrives. And- congratulations on being such a good gardener and having such a rich harvest!
We opened one already 🙂 It’s delicious!
Latvija mums bija piecas abeles. Mums bija abolu sula un abolu vins.
Mums ir 5 ļoti vecas ābeles 🙂 Vajadzētu iestādīt jaunas, bet nesanāk laiks 🙂
Our tradition is making apple sauce; every year we make enough to last until the next year. Nothing but apples (a blend gives the best flavor) and no added sugars … although I think my wife might squeeze in a little lemon for some zest. And you need to use a food mill to mix it or the consistency is thrown off.
I usually leave the apples in large pieces when I make applesauce. I don’t use very much sugar, so I don’t know if what I end up with would be considered a compote, and we usually just call it applesauce. I don’t make a sugar syrup but just cook the apples with a little water and a little sugar, and then I freeze the jars. A *long* time ago I used to can applesauce and other things.
That is completely different thing 😉 Apple “kompots” are fruit swimming in liquid 🙂
What you describe is how I typically cook quinces. Do you use that fruit in Sweden?
We have quinces, but they are rock-hard and sour… small yellow balls.
In Sweden? I don’t know; I’m in Latvia 🙂
A wonderful time to bite into an apple fresh from the tree. Good luck with your compote.
Thank you 🙂
Your apples look so yummy. I have not had an apple off a tree in many years, but I remember how delicious they are. No, I have never made apple compote. I bet yours is going to be delicious. Hugs
Thank you, Mags! Apple off a tree… I can’t imagine not having one 🙂 We are lucky to live in countryside or when we lived in Riga, we had relatives in countryside, so always – apples, potatoes, carrots comes from known source 🙂 Well.. usually, cause it’s easier to go and buy 🙂
Over the years I had plums, peaches, and apples off the tree, but that was all very long ago. I also had grape vines. I miss having fresh fruit straight from the trees.
Do you have the option to plant grape vines? Or plum trees?
Not any more. I live in an area with a lot of trees, but not a good place for fruit trees. I have a grape vine on the fence in my backyard, but it has not produced grapes for the last few years.
Meybe you need to cut the grape vine…
I can’t do anything with it. It is in the utility easement and the power company has let trees and vines overtake it. The people that take care of my yard have cut it but it did not help. I have given up on it.
Sounds very delicious.
Thank you 🙂 It was… i can’t wait to try the one with mojito mint and lemon 🙂
Oh yes, it’s the apple time of year! So many delicious kinds. I hope your compote turns out well. 🙂 Yes, I’ve made it many times but not recently. I used to have an apple tree which made excellent compote and juice, too.
Oh, good idea! Need to collect them and juice… have to juicer…. maybe need to ask friend to borrow one.
I used to freeze a lot if juice – it freezes well – but the fresh is soooo good.
Well.. here we heat it up and then store in glass jars or plastic juice bags 🙂 They are good all winter 🙂
Great! 🙂