🍎 Zucchini Mock Apple Rings
A Sweet & Spiced Canning Delight – Tastes Just Like Apples!
📌 In This Article
🍎 The Zucchini Mock Apple Story
"You can use zucchini, cucumbers, or apples to make these spiced rings — my family can't tell the difference between zucchini and apples." 🍎✨
This recipe is a modern twist on the Depression-era Mock Apple Rings. Instead of cucumbers, we use zucchini slices that transform into sweet, spiced rings that taste just like apples [citation:1][citation:10].
These zesty treats are pickled with cinnamon sticks, red hot candies, and red food coloring, resulting in a flavor explosion reminiscent of classic candied apples [citation:1]. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or as a snack, these mock apple rings are a fun and creative way to enjoy a low-calorie treat [citation:1].
💬 A creative twist: "These zesty treats are made with zucchini slices, which are pickled with a blend of cinnamon sticks, red hot candies, and red food coloring. The result is a flavor explosion reminiscent of classic candied apples." [citation:1]
📦 Ingredients – For 8 Half-Pints
From the Allrecipes Classic [citation:10]
- 🥒 4 cups zucchini – sliced, peeled if desired
- 🧂 1 cup pickling lime – calcium hydroxide [citation:1][citation:10]
- 🍎 2 cups distilled white vinegar – divided
- 🔴 1 (1 oz) bottle red food coloring
- 🧂 ¾ teaspoon alum
- 🍬 5 cups white sugar
- 💧 3 cups water
- 🌿 4 cinnamon sticks
- 🍬 ½ cup cinnamon Red Hot candies
⚠️ Important: "Pickling lime, also called food-grade calcium hydroxide, can be found with canning supplies in many grocery stores. It helps keep the canned product crisp." [citation:10]
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
📅 The 3-Day Timeline at a Glance
- Day 1: Lime soak for 24 hours
- Day 2: Rinse, soak in fresh water, then simmer in vinegar mixture for 2 hours
- Day 3: Make syrup, soak 24 hours, then boil syrup, pack jars, and process
Day 1 – The Lime Soak
- Place sliced zucchini into a 1-gallon glass jar or crock [citation:1][citation:10].
- Mix 2 cups water (or enough to cover zucchini) and 1 cup pickling lime in a nonreactive bowl.
- Pour the lime solution over the zucchini – it should completely cover them [citation:10].
- Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 24 hours [citation:1][citation:10].
💡 Pro tip: "The lime soak is what gives the zucchini its crisp, apple-like texture."
Day 2 – Rinse, Soak, and Simmer
- Drain the zucchini slices in a colander [citation:10].
- Rinse very well under running water to remove all of the lime [citation:10].
- Wash the glass jar thoroughly, then place zucchini back into the jar [citation:10].
- Cover with fresh cool water and let stand for 2 to 3 hours [citation:10].
- Drain and rinse again [citation:1][citation:10].
- Place zucchini into a large pot [citation:10].
- Stir in 1 cup vinegar, food coloring, and alum [citation:10].
- Add enough water to cover the zucchini and bring to a boil over medium heat [citation:10].
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours [citation:1][citation:10].
- Drain and discard the liquid [citation:10].
⚠️ Important: "It's important to rinse away any excess pickling lime from the zucchini before proceeding." [citation:10]
Day 3 – The Syrup and Processing
- Return zucchini to the glass jar [citation:10].
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, 3 cups water, remaining 1 cup vinegar, Red Hot candies, and cinnamon sticks [citation:10].
- Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar and candies dissolve [citation:1][citation:10].
- Pour syrup over zucchini, cover, and let stand for 24 hours [citation:1][citation:10].
- Strain zucchini, reserving the syrup [citation:10].
- Bring the syrup to a full rolling boil [citation:1][citation:10].
- Sterilize 8 half-pint jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes [citation:1][citation:10].
- Pack zucchini slices into hot jars, pour in hot syrup to within ¼ inch of the top [citation:1][citation:10].
- Run a clean knife around the insides to remove air bubbles [citation:10].
- Wipe rims, top with lids, and screw rings on tightly [citation:10].
- Process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes [citation:1][citation:10].
- Remove jars and let rest on a towel until cool, 12 to 24 hours [citation:10].
- Press the center of each lid to check the seal [citation:10].
- Remove rings and store in a cool, dark area [citation:10].
💡 Pro tip: "You might need to make some extra syrup to cover the veggies in the canning jars." [citation:10]
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Mock Apple Rings
- 🥒 Use any summer squash: Zucchini works great, but you can also use cucumbers or yellow squash [citation:1][citation:10].
- 🔴 Don't skip the food coloring: It gives the rings that beautiful apple-red color.
- 🧂 Rinse thoroughly: Any remaining lime will affect the texture and safety [citation:10].
- 🌿 Save the cinnamon sticks: You can add a fresh one to each jar for extra flavor.
- 🍬 Red hot candies are key: They dissolve and add both color and cinnamon flavor [citation:1][citation:10].
- ⏱️ Don't rush the process: Each step is important for developing the right texture and flavor.
- 🍽️ Serve like apples: "Strangely enough, these make a great cobbler. Use them just like canned pie apples." [citation:5]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use cucumbers instead of zucchini?
Yes! Cucumbers work just as well – the recipe was originally designed for them [citation:7].
❓ What is pickling lime?
It's food-grade calcium hydroxide, found with canning supplies. It helps keep the rings crisp [citation:10].
❓ Is pickling lime safe?
Yes – just make sure to rinse thoroughly as directed [citation:10].
❓ How long do Mock Apple Rings last?
Properly sealed jars last up to 18 months in a cool, dark pantry.
❓ Why are they called "mock" apple rings?
They look and taste like apples but are made from zucchini or cucumbers [citation:1][citation:10].
❓ Can I use this recipe for apple rings?
Yes – the recipe works with real apples too [citation:1][citation:10].
❓ What do they taste like?
They taste like sweet, spiced candied apples – cinnamon-forward and delicious [citation:1].
❓ How many servings does this make?
8 half-pint jars, about 50 servings [citation:10].
❓ Can I make a larger batch?
Scale up the ingredients proportionally.
❓ What can I serve them with?
They're great on their own, as a dessert, or made into a cobbler [citation:5].
📄 Printable Recipe Card
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ZUCCHINI MOCK APPLE RINGS ║
║ A Sweet & Spiced Canning Delight – Tastes Just Like Apples! ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: 8 half-pints | TIME: 3 days
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 cups zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup pickling lime
- 2 cups distilled white vinegar, divided
- 1 (1 oz) bottle red food coloring
- ¾ teaspoon alum
- 5 cups white sugar
- 3 cups water
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- ½ cup cinnamon Red Hot candies
DAY-BY-DAY INSTRUCTIONS:
Day 1: Mix lime with 2 cups water. Pour over zucchini in glass jar. Cover and stand 24 hours.
Day 2: Drain, rinse very well. Cover with fresh water, stand 2-3 hours. Drain, rinse again.
Place in pot with 1 cup vinegar, food coloring, alum, and water to cover.
Boil, then simmer 2 hours. Drain and discard liquid.
Day 3: Return zucchini to jar. Combine sugar, 3 cups water, 1 cup vinegar,
Red Hots, and cinnamon sticks. Boil until dissolved. Pour over zucchini.
Stand 24 hours. Strain syrup, bring to rolling boil.
Pack zucchini into hot jars, pour syrup to ¼" headspace.
Process 20 minutes in boiling water bath.
Cool 12-24 hours, check seals.
STORAGE: 18 months (cool, dark place).
"You can use zucchini, cucumbers, or apples to make these spiced rings — my family can't tell the difference." 🍎✨
© CanningRebels — Zucchini Mock Apple Rings | A Sweet & Spiced Canning Delight
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