Apple Spaghetti

My family owned and operated a family apple orchard when I was growing up. It was an old orchard with 3,000 plus trees (I remember helping my dad count and log them all - what a job!) with many varieties that are now considered heirloom. We had Northern Spy, Grimes Golden, Maiden Blush, Winesap, Rome Beauty, Paula Red, Lodi... I wish I could find all those old varieties now!

A 1960s family picnic among the trees during apple blossom time. That's my mom's parents, Georgia and Earl Honeywell, on the left and our cocker spaniel, Benny, lying in the grass in the middle.

A fall tradition when I was growing up was making homemade applesauce from some of those apples and freezing it for winter. I continue that tradition now, even though I have to buy the apples instead of growing them.

I was delighted when my sister found an orchard in northern Indiana that still grew Northern Spies. She brought me some so I could make what we consider to be REAL applesauce.

I always save all the cores and peelings in a large bag and take them out to the horses.

Apple spaghetti makes them all very happy.

To ensure that no one horse gobbles it all, I walk along the fence row and sprinkle handfuls on the ground, spreading it out for quite a way.

Independent Hokey was a little slow in coming up, but I made sure that he got his fair share, too.

I miss having access to fresh off the tree apples, but the memory lives on every fall when I make applesauce and pies. I serve it at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and boy howdy it DOES NOT last long. 

Apple pie baking with Cowpokes and Pony Pals.

Luckily, the memories last forever.

Comment to enter for the blankets - I will be drawing several names this time!