Old apples

Got apples going soft? Don't toss them or feed them to the wild life! Peel, core and put them in a pan to cook for applesauce. That's all you have to do. It's so simple and such a good way to save money. You save the apples and you save money by not buying apple sauce at the store. And, yes, old apples will make good apple sauce.

Free food for the picking

See an apple tree no one has tended to? Ask if you can pick the apples. It's too late for plums, but there may be pears available still. Go for a walk around your neighborhood and keep your eyes open. There's free food out there. Go get it.

All the apple

Peeling an apple? Save the peels. You can make jelly of them and the cores - no pectin needed. Save them in a plastic bag for a few days until you have enough. It won't matter if they brown a little, but you can sprinkle them with vinegar or lemon juice to stop that. When you're ready, cover them with water and boil until they're soft, adding a tiny pinch of salt. Strain the liquid or press through a jelly bag. Return to a boil and add 1 cup of sugar for each pound (approximately) of peelings and cores you started with. Cook until it sheets off a cold metal spoon, then pour into a jar or bowl and cool. That's it. You might want to skim off the foam. Put that on a cold plate and it will subside into jelly, too. Store covered in the refrigerator.