What to do with all those apples

Going to the local orchard can be a great family tradition. Kids get to see that apples grow on trees, you support a local farmer and it is an activity the whole family can do together.

However, while a bushel and a peck sounds cute, it's a lot of apples. A peck is about 30 apples, while a bushel is about 125 apples. If stored in the refrigerator, apples can last about a month.

So, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of apples your family hauled off the farm, here's some ideas to help get rid of those apples, besides eating one a day.

5-6 Apples.

Probably the hardest part of making an apple crumble is coring, slicing and peeling the apples. This can be a great dessert paired with ice cream, or even alone or as a topping for a special breakfast. Other ingredients include brown sugar, granulated sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon and butter. (My recipe is from the "Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book," but there are several recipes available.)

1 Apple per two sandwiches.

Instead of using jelly, just add a few apple slices to your child's favorite school sandwich. Smooth peanut butter on both slices of bread to hold the apple slices in the sandwich.

1 Apple per participant.

Invite the kids' friends over for either a small get-together or a Halloween party and play this classic party game. Just fill a bucket or other large container with water, dump the apples into it, and watch the kids try to pull the apples out using only their mouths.

2-3 Apples.

This a is recipe I saw on Pinterest. The recipe, from The Peach Kitchen, also includes a recipe for cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips, but graham crackers could replace the chips. The dip is a great alternative for football watching gatherings and fall parties. Besides the apples, you'll need a little lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and corn starch.

1 Apple.

Speaking of those football games, why not try chopping up one cored and sliced apple in a food processor and adding it to the ground beef when making burgers? It makes the burger really juicy, and tastes best with bacon and barbecue sauce instead of ketchup as a topping.

1 Apple.

Have you ever seen those cute tote bags or aprons with apples halves painted on the front? You can make your own with one apple. Just cut the apple in half, paint one half red and the other green and use the halves to stamp a design on the item of your choice. Think of all the gifts you could make for the upcoming holidays or save for end-of-the-year teacher gifts!

6-7 Apples.

If your family starts getting sick of all the apple dishes, make an apple pie and freeze it to eat at Thanksgiving. Depending on how many apples are left, you could even make an extra pie or two to freeze and donate at Thanksgiving. To make the pies, you'll also need pie crust, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.