Monday, August 24, 2009

An Apple a Day

It's no secret that I wish I had a garden.
Even though my balcony is a riot of flowers, shrubs, herbs and tomatoes, it's not the same ...

So there I was the other day, relaxing with a glass of wine in the garden of a friend who lives a few doors away.
'Just look at that ...' I breathed, gazing at the rosy apples carpeting every inch of the grass and hanging from the branches of 2 ancient trees.
'Yes,' she said, 'Such a nuisance. I can barely eat one a day. They just lie there and rot, attracting wasps. I wish I could get rid of them to be honest.'

Say no more.

After a couple of hours spent in the timeless bucolic pursuit of apple picking:
  • The rotten ones have been collected into her compost bin.
  • Bags of apples have been distributed to all the kids on our estate, and from assorted windows the sweet smell of apple pies and crumbles wafts on the breeze.
  • Another vast bag has been taken to the refugee hostel down the road and another has found its way to Brighton.
  • Both dad and I have spicy stewed apples in large containers in our fridges.
  • I've resurrected my mum's fab recipe for apple cake (ultra moist and yummy).
  • We've been eating fruit salad for breakfast.
  • There's nothing like crunching into a fresh organic apple - almost as good as chocolate and a lot better for you.
Just imagine what I'd do if I had my own garden ...

15 comments:

Queenie said...

Debi, what fun! This may interest you: http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ If you ever have enough apples, and a juicer or access to one, really fresh apple juice is an absolute delight.

Debi said...

Yes - I know about them, Queenie.

And apple juice! Of course! I'll dust off the one lurking at the back of our shelves.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I have a large apple tree and was thinking the same way as your friend, although we do have four compost bins and do fill them.

However, apart from the odd apple and blackberry crumble, and eating one a day, we've not known what to do with the rest.

You've now inspired me. Thanks.

Debi said...

Hi and welcome, Debs. Nice name BTW.

And then there's apple chutney, apple pancakes, apple muffins ...

Unknown said...

I never lost the desire to 'scrump'- if I ever own my own apple tree I think it won't taste the same as 'acquired' apples!

Debi said...

Explains why you're so scrumptious, dear Minxling.

Liane Spicer said...

This just reminds me how much I miss having my own garden. One day, one day... And I think I'll go Google a recipe for apple cake. Sounds scrumptious!

Debi said...

1.5 cups self-raising flour (wholemeal or white - your choice)
.75 cup sugar
.75 cup oil
3 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
apples!
brown sugar and cinnamon

Add beaten eggs and oil to dry ingredients. Half in tin, then apples, sugar and cinnamon. Other half on top. 1 hour Gas mark 4.

Whoda thunk I'd ever be posting recipes on my blog ...?

Liane Spicer said...

Debi, thank you! My mom is returning from vacation tomorrow and I'll make this to surprise her. Don't you just love the scent of baking apples and cinnamon?

Debi said...

Liane - my mum would be proud to know that her recipe is traveling - hopefully your mum will love it as much as we do.

HarpyMarx said...

Hi Debi,

Good to see you have a blog. Dunno if you remember me, certain vol sector org in East London, you visited a few times when I was there doing the admin, I said I knew your books. Anyway, hope you remember me and great blog!

Louise

Debi said...

Oooh - hi, Louise. Of course I remember you and look forward to seeing more of you in the blogoverse.

Unknown said...

Right, so when are you sending over some of that apple cake - or at least sharing the recipe?!
Now, if you'd like to come and clear my lemon tree... :-) xx

Unknown said...

Ooh, I take it back, you have provided the recipe, you wonderful woman, you!

Debi said...

Lemons? On my way, Ab Van.