Lynn Wear'S Winter Apple Conserve
A delicious winter preserve featuring tart apples, raisins, candied ginger, and orange peel, balanced with warm spices. This versatile conserve is perfect as a condiment or mincemeat for pies, tarts, or puddings, offering a sweet, spicy, and fruity flavor profile that complements holiday and seasonal dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash, core, and chop the apples.
- Chop the raisins, candied orange peel, and candied ginger.
- Add the apples, raisins, candied orange peel, candied ginger, sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt to a pot.
- Start cooking at low heat until the sugar dissolves, then let the mixture boil gently for about 30 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the walnuts and cook for a few more minutes.
- Pour the hot conserve into 1/2-pint canning jars.
- Seal the jars and process in a water bath for 15 minutes.
- Let cool and store. Serve as a condiment or use as mincemeat by adding butter and brandy for tarts, pies, or pudding.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider using a mix of apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. If you need a substitute for candied ginger, try using fresh ginger with a bit of extra sugar. Adjust the sweetness by reducing the sugar slightly if your apples are very sweet. For a twist, add a pinch of cloves or allspice to enhance the spice profile.
Serving Suggestions
This apple conserve makes a delightful condiment for cheese platters, especially with sharp cheddars or creamy bries. It can also be used as a filling for tarts or paired with pancakes and waffles for breakfast. For an indulgent dessert, mix it with butter and brandy to create a rich filling for pies, or serve alongside vanilla ice cream.
Storage & Reheating
Store the sealed jars of apple conserve in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Once opened, refrigerate and use within two weeks. To reheat, simply warm in a saucepan over low heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring until heated through. Always check for any signs of spoilage before using.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Lynn Wear'S Winter Apple Conserve contains roughly 532 calories, with 7g protein, 66g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (70% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 972mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?
Absolutely! Mixing tart apples like Granny Smith with sweeter varieties such as Fuji or Gala can add depth and complexity to your conserve. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the conserve?
If you prefer a less sweet conserve, you can reduce the sugar by up to one cup without significantly affecting the texture. Taste the mixture as it cooks and adjust according to your preference. Remember, the sweetness can also depend on the variety of apples used.
What can I serve with this apple conserve?
This conserve pairs beautifully with biscuits, scones, or as a topping for yogurt. You can also use it to enhance savory dishes, such as roasted pork or chicken, by adding a spoonful as a glaze during cooking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).