Aplets from Washington

So back in September when my blog had 100 posts, I decided to start a new feature. I have this old, old book of recipes that is called, America Cooks, by The Browns, published by Norton and Company, 1940. It is so old, in fact, that there are only 48 states represented in it. There are some very interesting recipes in the book, including squirrel recipes and such. Not that squirrel is a bad thing. I imagine that if meat was hard to come by I would start trapping squirrels and rabbits in my backyard. Well I would have to eat beans a lot more too! Which is not a bad thing.

In doing a search for the book, I found this link. I didnt know my book was worth so much. Too funny. That was published in 1948 and mine was published in 1940. I wonder if that makes it worth more? No matter, it's from my Mom, priceless!

The following recipe is for "Aplets" and it is from Washington.

APLETS
America Cooks, by The Browns

4 cups apple pulp
4 cups sugar
4 tablespoons gelatin
1 cup cold water
3 cups chopped nuts
1/4 teaspoon rose water

"Use Jonathan apples or Winesaps. Cut up and cook with sugar in as little water as possible. Drain and press through a sieve. Soften gelatin in water; add to apple pulp and mix thoroughly. Add nuts and rose water after mixture has partially cooled. Pour into buttered pans 3/4 inch thick. Let harden, cut in even pieces, and roll in powdered sugar.

Aplets are the most genial palate ticklers, that have come our way since the advent of fudge. They are done up commercially at the Liberty Orchards in the Wenatchee Valley."

My notes:

I used mac intosh apples.
I opted out of using nuts as I like the creamy smoothness of these confections.
I also did not press through a sieve, I used a ricer. A little messy but it managed to take out the fibers that were tough.