Crab Apple or Bramley Apple Jelly

APPLES apples everywhere, ripening faster than we can cook or eat them. So beautiful that we can’t bear to waste even the windfalls, so what to do?

After we’ve shared with our neighbours and friends (that’s if they’re not in the same situation as we are!), don’t forget St Vincent de Paul and Penny Dinners — they may also be happy to receive a basket or two of either cookers or eaters.

There’s the dilemma, not everyone knows what variety of apples they have in their garden. The original labels may have got lost or simply got blown away. If you’re anxious to identify the variety, start with your local garden centre, alternatively, the heroic team at the Irish Seed Savers will identify the variety for a few euros per apple (pop them into the post). Contact www.irishseedsavers.ie. Finally, order a copy of Heritage Apples of Ireland by Michael Hennerty, which has brilliant illustrations of many Irish apples.