unripe apple pie recipe

Homemade Apple Pie with Easy Oil Crust

This homemade apple pie recipe will make you want to ditch the pre-made versions forever. And don’t be intimidated by making your own crust – this recipe uses a simple oil-based dough that is easy to work with and yields amazing results.

Ingredients

• For the crust:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• For the filling:
• 6-7 cups thinly sliced apples (ideally a mix of sweet and tart)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 tablespoon milk (for brushing the crust)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil and milk until well combined. Pour the oil mixture over the flour and stir until the dough comes together in a ball. Divide the dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other, and flatten each into a disc. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, toss together the sliced apples with the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Set aside.
4. Remove the larger dough disc from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch (23cm) pie dish. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish and gently press it into place. Trim the edges to overhang by about 1 inch (2.5cm).
5. Fill the pie crust with the apple mixture, dotting the top with the pieces of butter.
6. Roll out the second disc of dough to the same size as the first. Cut it into strips about 1 inch (2.5cm) wide.
7. Lay half of the strips across the filling, spacing them out evenly. Then, starting at the center of the pie, fold every other strip back on itself and lay a new strip across it at a 90° angle. Unfold the strips and repeat with the remaining strips, folding every other one back and forth and laying new strips over them until you have a lattice.
8. Trim the edges of the lattice and tuck them under the overhang of the bottom crust. Brush the lattice and edges of the crust with milk.
9. Bake the pie for 50-60 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with small strips of aluminum foil. Let the pie cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Unripe Apples = Applesauce, Apple Jelly, Pectin

Don’t let unripe apples go to waste – there are plenty of ways to turn them into delicious treats! Here are some ideas:

Applesauce

Unripe apples make great applesauce, since they contain more pectin which helps the sauce thicken. Simply peel and core the apples, chop them into small pieces, and simmer them with a bit of water and sugar until soft. Be sure to taste the sauce as you go and adjust the sugar and spice levels to your liking. Once the apples have broken down, you can puree the sauce in a blender or food processor if desired.

Apple Jelly

Using a similar process as with applesauce, you can turn unripe apples into a jelly that is perfect for spreading on toast or biscuits. Peel and core the apples, chop them into small pieces, and simmer them with water until the fruit is soft. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to extract the juice. Then, measure the juice and add an equal amount of sugar. Cook the mixture until it reaches the jelling point (220°F/104°C), usually around 10-20 minutes. Pour the jelly into jars and let it cool completely before storing in the refrigerator.

Pectin

Unripe apples are also high in pectin, which is a natural thickener used in making jams and jellies. To make your own pectin, chop several unripe apples into small pieces and cover them with water in a large saucepan. Simmer for at least an hour until the apples have completely broken down. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth and let the liquid cool. Store the pectin in the fridge or freezer until needed. You can use it to make homemade jam or jelly with any fruit that you have on hand.

So next time you find yourself with a bunch of unripe apples, don’t throw them away! Try turning them into one of these tasty treats instead.