I mentioned the tiny pears I picked last week. It's time to do some thing
with them. I have 5 pounds of 'em.

I see a recipe for crab apple pickles in the BBB. Are they any good, and
what are they good for?

I also am thinking about steam-juicing them, with a handful of cranberries
for color, and making jelly.

I think 5 pounds is enough to try both, but I don't wanna make the pickles
if they are only good for sitting on the shelf looking pretty (and these
won't be as pretty as crabapples because they are tan instead of red)

Thanks, regards,
Bob

Crab Apple Pickles

2 quarts crab apples with stems (about 2.5 pounds)
2 sticks cinnamon
1.5 Tbsp whole allspice
1.5 Tbsp whole cloves
6 cups sugar
3 cups water
3 cups vinegar

Prick apples with a needle to prevent bursting. Tie spices in a spice bag.
Combine sugar, water, vinegar in large saucepot, add spice bag, and boil 5
minutes. Add apples one layer at a time, cooking gently until tender.
Remove apples and set in large boil. Bring liquid back to boil and ladle
over apples. Cover; let stand 12 to 18 hours in a cool place. Remove
spice bags and apples, pack apples into hot jars. Bring pickling liquid to
a boil. Ladle over apples leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Adjust caps,
process pints and quarts 15 minutes in BWB. Yields about 6 pints or 3 quarts.