We’ve got a crabapple tree in front of the house, and every spring, it lights up the landscape with its blooms. These typically last about a week at most, that is, unless a heavy rain knocks them down prematurely. The fruit, which appears much later in the season, has been just an afterthought for us. Until now.

In the spirit of eating locally, my son Michael harvested a bunch of them and decided to make a pie. I warned him that it would be a lot of trouble to prep the fruit, but he shrugged his shoulders, picked up a knife, and got to work. I headed for the park to walk the dog, and when I returned a few hours later, the pie was in the oven, and the kitchen smelled wonderful.

Thankfully, the recipe called for unpeeled apples. He quartered the fruit first, then scooped out the seeds using a paring knife with a curved blade. The skins lent a beautiful color to the pie filling.

The recipe he used came from The Yankee Cookbook, a collection of New England recipes that was first published in 1939. Like most of my cookbooks, it’s been out of print for a very long time, but used copies are still available.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon