crab apples

[eyeguy 54]

anybody know what these are?   ant good for anything.  ?

[DrJuice1980]

Slingshots if they can maintain form

[RebelSS]

Not sure about the type, but there are thousands of crab apple cultivars in Minnesota. What I DO know: I have a tree that gets loaded down with them year after year, which I pick and fill grocery bags full of, then take to the Sisters at St Marys Hospital/ Assisi Heights.This tree was so loaded last year, the top branches (25' high) were sagging and within touching distance. Anyway, the Sisters turn them into the best crab apple jelly around, which of course, I get part of the take.  

It's a pretty intense process to get much jelly, as it takes a WHALE of a lot of these little  guys to cook down, strain, etc. If you can find someone to do it, it's delicious on anything. But then, I'll bet you already know all that.

 

Edited August 25, 2015 by RebelSS

[pushbutton]

They look like ornamentals. Most often the Asians  are too bitter, but take a bite and see......  they are not poisonous or anything......again, just often too bitter. Usually the best jelly crabs are American cultivars, usually a Dolgo offshoot, that Rebel posted. . bigger and sweeter.. Also like he mentioned a pain in the patutty, but probably my favorite jam and worth the effort.

[eyeguy 54]

wifey is thinking ornamental. small and bitter.  thx guys.  slingshot idea sounds best. lol 

[RebelSS]

Seriously, Mr. Pbutton is right, take a bite out of one...! That'll tell ya. Mine are REALLY tart, pucker the ol' kisser right up, but nice apple flavor. Best way to tell. You first. 

Edited August 26, 2015 by RebelSS

[pushbutton]

Thinking about it a little more, suppose it would not hurt to try to whip up a batch. I never have just because I do have an old fashioned litterally growing right out my door.....and being bigger are simply less work. Have made palatable elderberry jam/syrup and that stuff is really nasty before cooking and adding sugar. Just cut off the stems, cover with water, boil for 1/2 hour or so, strain, add sugar, and boil more till it sets. 

[RebelSS]

wifey is thinking ornamental. small and bitter.  thx guys.  slingshot idea sounds best. lol 

*ZING*CRASH!*   "Dear, how'd we get that hole in the window?"  

[bobberineyes]

After reading some of this , I just had to find out. So I headed over to the neighbors tree to test some out. We'll this is what I found instead.  I think maybe I'll just have to take you word,cuz I'm not picking any

[pushbutton]

Wussy. ....

[bobberineyes]

Wussy. ....

Dang right , not sure if I  even touched the fence coming back. Must be the good kind of c apple for those guys to be on guard...

[eyeguy 54]

lol

 

putting some bug pics in the photo thread from this mornings pic. 

[DonBo]

We make apple sauce from similar looking apples. Love the tartness. Couldn't hurt to try.