Shipshewana Flea Market Recipe Box: Farmer’s Market Apple Butter
There are many delicious and fun Fall finds available inside the Farmer's Market section of the Shipshewana Flea Market this season.
The Shipshewana Flea Market Farmer's Market vendors have a bountiful variety of produce and plants for you to choose from. They're also very helpful with guiding you on making the right selection, so whether you plan to pick some apples up for snacking, canning or recreating that special recipe grandma used to make, you'll want to be sure you get them while they are in season. (Flea Market Dates & Hours)
Fall is a great time to enjoy the bounties that local farmers' hard work has brought us during the harvest season. Great seasonal flavors include cider, pears, squash and apples galore. And, don't miss out on fall decorating with miniature straw bales, decorative pumpkins, corn, mums and gourds.
Below is a recipe I have been making with apples each Fall. One reason I love this one is the fact that it uses quite a bit less sugar than others I have tried, so this is my spin on a classic Apple Butter that will be sure to please the family!
Ingredients:
- 8-10 cups peeled sliced apples filling about 1/2 of a large crock pot.
(I personally love Ginger Gold, but there are many varieties that you can use.) - 2/3 Cup White Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 TBSP Vanilla
- 3 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 Cup Orange Juice or Juice of 1 Fresh Orange
*Special tip: You can also make this with pears (ripened to eating consistency) for a really sweet twist and it is so delicious!
Directions:
- Wash, peel then cut apples into bite-size pieces.
- Place in crock pot with all ingredients and stir.
- Turn crock pot on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Check the progress of the apples and use a strong wire whisk to begin breaking down the pieces by stirring and whisking every 1-2 hours as they soften.
(This will also help prevent scorching.) - Once you have whisked the apples to the consistency you like (chunky applesauce, finer applesauce or really fine for a yummy apple butter), turn off the crock pot and let cool.
(You can eat your amazing treat warm or cold if you choose to refrigerate for later.)
You can freeze some for later so you have a quick and easy treat throughout the winter. Just be sure to check all food safety recommendations for storage. I love enjoying it as is, served over waffles or with fresh baked biscuits. But, no matter how you eat it, you'll wish you made more when the last bite is gone.
If you enjoyed this recipe, check out more in our Recipe Box on the Shipshewana Trading Place Blog.
For more information on the Shipshewana Flea Market Farmer's Market vendors and the products they and the nearly 700 other vendors carry at the Midwest's Largest Flea Market each May through September, download our FREE Shipshewana Flea Market Trip Planner and plan your next visit to shop while enjoying Indiana's Amish Country.
