what to do with bland, mealy apricots?

[patandchickens]

I have 2 qts of the best apricots I could find at the giant farmers market in Mississauga the other day -- it is a really lousy year for apricots around here -- but sadly they have turned out still really too smushy/mealy/bland to be worth jamming or canning, much less eating fresh or in pies.

So, what would you do with them? I am leaning towards simmering them up into apricot sauce, possibly progressing to apricot butter, but I am sure y'all can come up with better ideas for me.

(Aside from standing outside and chucking them at those darn bees in the attic and then running like crazy )

Thanks,

Pat

 

[keljonma]

How about fruit leather?

 

[patandchickens]

Hm, good idea but no dehydrator. It'd take a looong time to do in the oven, wouldn't it?

Pat

 

[keljonma]

:/ I use my dehydrator, Pat. But here is a link that might help you.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/fs/fs232/

 

[me&thegals]

Chicken food You wouldn't believe how much less guilt I deal with now when throwing out yucky food since we got chickens to turn it into eggs.

 

[Ldychef2k]

I actually only do leather in the oven. I line a cookie sheet with parchment of one of those silicone sheets, put it in at the lowest possible temperature, door slightly ajar to let out moisture, overnight. In the morning, I peel it off the parchment and turn it over to get the other side. The timing of the second part is less, but it depends on your environment.

As far as what else to make with the apricots? Combine them with crushed pineapple for jam, or with peaches as well. They might make a good base.

 

[SKR8PN]

Chicken food You wouldn't believe how much less guilt I deal with now when throwing out yucky food since we got chickens to turn it into eggs.

Another vote for chicken food. They will you for it!!

 

[patandchickens]

I'm not paying $7 for some apricots for chicken food! That's what defective tomatoes, and tomato hornworms, are for

So I pureed the apricots yesterday and cooked 'em down for a while, then ran out of time so this afternoon I will heat 'em back up in the microwave I guess, or on the stove, and then spread on trays for the oven to try fruit leather. I've always sort of vaguely wanted to try doing that anyhow, so this is my big chance I guess I'll let you know how it turns out!

Thanks folks, especially thanks to keljonma for the link,

Pat

 

[me&thegals]

I feel like I've had my hand slapped! You're right. I only do this with food I have grown too much of, given away to friends, frozen and then still have extras of. Definitely not boughten food.

Fruit leather is a huge hit with the kiddos. Could you add some apricot juice or nectar to give it the liquid apricot flavor it needs? Then dehydrate it back down?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I like Ldychef2k's idea about combining the apricots with other fruits that you know will be flavorful and then processing it . . . into whatever you want leather or jam. I just think you will never really get much flavor out of those apricots, so maybe you could use them to extend the flavor of some other fruits? JMO.