Chestnut Crab Apple
By: Anonymous

About

A vigorous, hardy crabapple that makes pleasant "chestnut" flavored jam. Large 2" reddish yellow fruit. Often used as a disease resistant pollinator for apples. Produces large white flowers in spring, growing to a height of 20 feet.

Information
Translations: Kastaņu Crab Apple, Kaštonų Krabų obuolių, Chestnut crab Apple, Kesten Crab Apple, Chestnut cua Apple, Apple Crab Chestnut, अखरोट केकड़े सेब, Честнат Краб Apple, Chestnut Apple Καβούρι, كستناء كراب أبل, 밤나무의 크랩 애플, Chestnut planá jabloň, Chestnut Kepiting Apple, 板栗蟹苹果, Castaño Apple Cranc, Kostanjev Crab Apple, Chestnut planá jabloň, צ 'סטנאט התפוח, Кестен Рак јабука, チェスナットクラブアップル, Crab Apple Chestnut, Chestnut Krabbe Apple, Castaño Apple Cangrejo, Честнат Краб Apple, Kastanja Crab Apple, Кестен Рак Apple


Physical Description
Large, reddish, sweet juicy crabapple.  Large by comparison to other crabapples, about 2 inches in diameter.  Firm flesh.
Colors: Reddish dappled in color; light red over yellow.  Yellow flesh.


Tasting Notes
Flavors: Nutty, sweet, sub-acid, slightly tart.
Mouthfeel: Firm, Juicy, Crisp.
Food complements: Desserts, Used in sauces and jellies.
Wine complements: Pairs well with red or white sweet wine.
Beverage complements: Iced teas, Particularly fruit teas like peach and raspberry.
Substitutes: Other crabapples.


Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: august, september, opctober
Peak: september
Choosing: Firm crabapples without blemishes or wrinkles or worm-holes.
Buying: Can be bought in bulk at produce markets or farmer's market when in season.
Procuring: These very hardy fruits grow on trees requiring full sun and are usually at least somewhat frost resistant.  Trees may be bought from nursery dealers or ordered by mail-order and shipped.


Preparation and Use
May be eaten whole.  Apples contain one or two small seeds.  Most commonly the apples are cooked and used to make jelly or sauce, the skins and seeds discarded.
Cleaning: Wash vigorously with plenty of cold water, especially is chemicals have been used for pest control.  May be blanched to remove skins or boiled whole and skins and seeds removed.


Conserving and Storing
Chestnut crabapples have a short to moderate shelf life if keep refrigerated.  Should be eaten or prepared with two to three weeks.


Social/Political

History: Chestunut crabapples were bred and introduced from the University of Minnesota in 1949.