Economy Fridge Clearout | Ode to Apple Peels

Once a month, our collaborator known for her culinary blog Vert Couleur Persil offers you a delicious recipe to make with what you have in your fridge!

Let’s say you’re making a pie or apple crumble. You’ll soon find yourself with a small mountain of apple peels in your hands. Rather than sending them to the compost, why not turn them into a tasty compote? Spread on toast, add to your bowl of yogurt or even incorporate into your muffin or cake preparations, this original compote will find its place in your kitchen.

3 ingredients: apple peels, butter, maple syrup

Apple peel compote

Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking: 7 minutes
Yield: 1 cup (250 ml)

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
• 5 cups (1.25 L) red apple peels (about 10 apples)
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) maple syrup
• 2 tsp (10 ml) lemon juice
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 2 whole star anises
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp (0.5 ml) salt

Preparation

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add apple peels, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, star anise, cinnamon, salt and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes or until peels are cooked through and soft. Remove both star anise.
2. In a small blender, pour the contents of the saucepan and blend until completely smooth. Transfer to a container, without the lid, to cool completely.
3. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to eat. The compote will keep for about five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can also freeze the compote for longer storage.

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Geneviève’s money-saving tips

Here are some additional anti-waste ideas for cooking with apple peels.

Tasty smoothie

Save the peels to add to your next smoothie. Remember to sprinkle them with a little lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

Comforting infusion

Warm up your evenings by making an infusion that will taste like heaven. Dip the apple peels in boiling water and simmer over low heat for about ten minutes. For a richer flavor, extend the infusion time or add a cinnamon stick, star anise or a few cloves. Strain everything through a sieve and enjoy.

Creative Dehydration

Once dehydrated, apple peels offer several delicious options: as a topping for your yogurt bowls; the secret ingredient that transforms homemade granola (you just have to add the peels once the granola is cooked) or as a multi-purpose powder. To make the powder, mix the dehydrated apple peels in a small blender until you obtain a fine powder. The latter can be incorporated into your dessert recipes (cakes, muffins, breads, etc.), yogurt bowls, smoothies, vinaigrettes, sauces, or even in French toast and pancake preparations. Experiment!