My Apple Butter is the Shit

Monday, March 3, 2008


I have it on the highest authority that my Apple Butter is the shit. I put up a batch yesterday because I owed Jim Wright a couple jars.

As it happens, there are a couple of jars from this batch that aren't spoken for. So step right up, Hot Chicks and Smart Men! Put your dibs on your jar in the comments, first come, first served.


Please note the following caveats:


1. Jim, Beastly and family members are not eligible, because greediness is really quite unbecoming.

2. I have delayed posting this until mid-day MST, to ensure everyone has an equal chance, even those who live west of me.

3. Shipment won't occur until later this week, because it needs to set for a couple days.

4. This stuff is labor intensive, so only ask for it if you like apple butter. I will be very disappointed if someone asks for it and then says, "Meh" because they didn't really like apple butter in the first place. Because that would be unkind.


Good Luck!

31 comments:

Random Michelle K said...

Can I ask for it for my grandmother? She loves apple butter.

I like it too, but she'll really and truly appreciate it.

I'll even take pictures of her eating it!

Janiece said...

Of course! Always happy to cook for the cool Grams of the world.

Send your snail-mail address to first name dot last name upper-case-2 comcast dot net, and I'll get it in the mail.

Random Michelle K said...

YIPPEE!

I'M A WINNER!

(happy dance)

Janiece said...

Or your Gramma is. :-)

Becca said...

Oh dang, next time you make some apple butter or jams may I please buy some from you? Ask Jim, I pay well! :-)

Janiece said...

Becca, I do have two jars, and Michelle's Gramma only needs one. Would you like the other?

And I don't sell my jams or jellies - I give it away, or barter it for other people's cool stuff.

MWT said...

Am I too late to claim a jar?

Becca said...

Oh I would love a jar, and if you are offering a give away of a jar of your jam, I have nothing to give away at this time, but I am sure that if I were to ask my husband he would tell me to trade a nice bottle of my pinot noir that I have! Thank you! I haven't had good apple butter since I don't remember when.

Jeri said...

I love apple butter! However, I put up plenty of my own last fall after my trip to apple country, so I am well stocked.

I do respect the labor that goes into it... you are indeed a hot chick. :D

Janiece said...

Becca, send your snail mail address to first name dot last name upper-case-two comcast dot net and I'll get it to you this week.

No need to stress on the wine - I don't like it, as it gives a headache.

MWT, I'm sorry, but Becca snagged the last one. I'm sure I'll do another give-away soon, as I make jam fairly frequently, and my family can't eat it all.

Next up: Strawberry!

Tom said...

Your apple butter may indeed be "the shit" but I'm not much of an apple butter-er, so I wouldn't know.

However, someone who gives away her apple butter to friends, and barters for other good stuff, that is truely "the shit!"

Now, if only I could think of something good that I make for future barting cred...

Janiece said...

Tom, apple butter is one of those things that you either really like or really loathe. I really like it, but I don't like other types of jam, even though I make them.

I'm always open for barter, but I'm just as happy to give it away, too. Making people happy through food is kind of a family tradition aroung here.

MWT said...

Nuuuuu!!! T.T

But I'm glad Becca will be all happy. :)

It has occurred to me these past few weeks that in the grand scheme of things, I'm really kind of useless. I can manipulate bytes and bits and such, but don't know how to make anything real with my bare hands. The only thing I can think of to barter would be photographs of stuff in my local area (it's why I took pics of oysters - for a friend in Kansas).

Random Michelle K said...

MWT,

Don't feel bad, just start doing things and you'll learn how to figure them out as you go!

Important hints:
When doing wiring, bits of tape and a sharpie can help you keep track of which wires go where.

Before planting, dig a hole deeper and wider than the rootball of the plant you have. Add compost to the hole. Break apart the rootball. Place plant in hole, and fill in rest of hole with compost. Water frequently for the next several weeks.

Parchment paper makes clean-up SO much easier when baking. Instead of having to scrub the sheets, you just slide the cookies off, paper and all, and then put the sheet away! And make sure to check what you are baking before the time goes off, unless you are certain of your oven.

When using a sewing machine, keep your fingers out from under the needle.

But most importantly, hydrogen peroxide gets out most blood stains.

Janiece said...

MWT, you're not useless. You make us think, and give us an eclectic point of view. That makes you very useful, at least in my book.

Plus, look! Pictures!

Nathan said...

Janiece,

I don't think I've ever tasted apple butter. Can I have a teaspoon so I'll know which camp I fall into and I can be prepared next time? :D

Janiece said...

Nathan, why don't you just try for some of the strawberry when it comes around, hmm?

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Gee, since you are coming for a visit, can you bring a jar of blackberry jam? Or strawberry? What else do you have? Love 'em!

Anonymous said...

Late to the party, as usual. Excuse me as I commence weeping.

I haven't had apple butter in ages and I've never had homemade apple butter, but I grew up on the stuff. Yum!

Well, I like strawberry jam too.

Michelle K, if I may add an addendum to your hints: when splicing wiring, masking tape does NOT make a good substitute for electrical tape. Trust me on this.

Yes, I knew better, especially as I watched my father fix all sorts of electrical things as I was growing up. In the Navy he was an Electronics Technician, with a side job as a TV repairman.

Still thought I would give it a try, as I had no electrical tape. Thank heaven I was prepared for the inevitable sparking.

Janiece said...

TMG, you know I will. You're family so you automatically get some when it's available.

I'm out of spares at the moment, though, since I sent 6 cases up to the assisted living facility where my Gram lives at Christmas. I took a break after that, since I was sick of it. I'm ready to get started again, so I'll be "donating" some jars here and there.

So you'll get another chance, Carol Elaine.

Random Michelle K said...

Carol Elaine,

I knew that. :) We have lots of electrical tape around the house!.

My husband's grandfather was an electrician, so he used to help he around the house. And my husband is good enough that when we finished part of our basement, we wired everything ourselves, and NOTHING blew up! (laugh)

Jim Wright said...

Back online today, and late joining the party - but I am required by the Chief's code to say: Janiece's Apple Butter is indeed the shit.

The last jar we received here lasted all of two days, if that. If you like apples, warm apple pie, apple crisp, hell apple anything - you will freakin' love Janiece's apple butter. I ain't kidding, shipmates.

There's only one problem - if you try even a small spoonful, you will never be able to go back to the store bought crap. You'll be ruined for life. Just saying ;)

Janiece said...

Jim, yours will be going out at the same time as Mrs. Michelle's Gramma's and Becca's.

Glad you're feeling better.

Anne C. said...

I think Jim's description is relevant because I've had storebought apple butter and thought "meh" but I've never had homemade applebutter. So, my plan is to find itty-bitty jars for Janiece to make sample sizes for those of us who would like to try it. ;)

Janiece said...

Anne, I do occasionaly put up little 4 oz jars, because my Smart Man's Gramma likes them. Next time I make Apple Butter, I'll make some of those small ones for you and Nathan (and whoever else wants a sample).

Random Michelle K said...

Jim,

There's an apple market about an hour and a half away from where we are that fresh local apples, pumpkins and peaches in season.

Plus things that can be made from those and other fresh ingredients. Luckily, it's on the way to visiting my aunt et al.

Shawn Powers said...

This is what I get for letting my google reader get the better of me...

I may cry actual tears. I loves me some apple butter. My second favorite (although there is quite a gap) is strawberry jam.

Maybe we could barter some apple butter for a Petoskey Stone. Interested?

Janiece said...

Shawn, I'm always willing to make Apple Butter for an appreciative audience.

So far I have 4 oz jars for Anne and Nathan, and BAJ's (Big Ass Jars) for MWT, Carol Elaine, and Shawn. Anyone else want to put future dibs?

And Shawn, did my checks arrive?

Shawn Powers said...

They did, I think yesterday. And not to call you out on your own blog, but you are indeed a very generous donator! We'll be sending you a receipt for the 30 Hour Famine (it will probably be coming after the event). Would you also like me to get a receipt for the recycling bin?

[un-hijacking commencing]

I just looked in my fridge, hoping against hope there was some Apple Butter in there. Alas, none. ;)

Tania said...

I've been meaning to ask, what kind of apples do you use? I usually use local crabapples from the farmer's market when I make apple butter.

And you know, I do not doubt a bit that your apple butter is the shit!

Janiece said...

Tania, the recipe I use calls for Granny Smith's. I've never varied, because the first end result was so very satisfactory.