This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The Marzetti® Brand. The opinions and text are all mine.
WHAT IS APPLE CARVING?
I suppose just about everybody has carved pumpkins at one time or another but what about apple carving? I have to admit - I had no idea this was a thing. Until I went to Pinterest...holy apple-carving Batman! Wow! There are some really talented folks out there. Psst: Don't miss the $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway below! We're celebrating fall, y'all!
GREAT ACTIVITY AFTER APPLE PICKING
Using apples makes it a lot easier to hold and to carve. We used pumpkin carving tools since they are much safer to use than knives. Apple skin is really soft so you could even use plastic knives or spoons. Plus, you can totally eat the apple that you discard as you carve. Ha! Grab some food-safe markers and you can add color to your carvings!
FALL FAMILY FUN
This was such a fun activity for my family to try. We are no Michaelangelo's but it was such an easy, breezy and affordable activity. Plus, we set aside some apples just to snack on while we worked. I think we snacked more than we carved since we had some Marzetti® Old Fashioned Caramel Dip on hand. I mean, it was made to go with apples. Thick, rich and creamy and a must-have at our fall fun! Turn up the music and start a new family tradition!
HOW TO GET STARTED APPLE CARVING
Use any kind of apples or even pears! I grabbed a few different kinds: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala and a couple different types of pears.
YOU'LL NEED LEMON JUICE
This isn't absolutely necessary but it will keep the apples from turning too brown too quickly on you. And if you aren't going to eat your apple creations, this will help them last for a couple of days. I just put about 2 tbsp. of lemon juice with a cup of water and mixed it up into each of these spray bottles. As you carve, keep spraying a little on as you go.My Mom was in town for the week so we had her join in on the fun. She absolutely loved it and kept saying "This is so relaxing!" She actually made a little fruit basket with her apple and a pear squid. So cute!
Easy to set up and clean up! At everyone's spot at the table, I taped down some parchment paper. I also put plenty of paper towels out too. This all helps with the cleanup later (which I, of course, made everyone participate in that fun too!) The family that carves and cleans together, stays together 🙂
Alex's apple looks like a Lucha Libre wrestler. I call it "Luscious Libre." 😉
MELON BALLERS MAKE IT EASY!
Gene decided to make a jack-o-lantern with his apple. He used a melon baller to scoop out the inside and it was crazy easy. He ate all the apple "guts" too. You can't do that with pumpkins! Dip those apple pieces into the Marzetti® Old Fashioned Caramel Dip and carve. Eat, dip and repeat!
We wanted this one to stay around for a couple of days so we could put a tea light into it and let it glow like a pumpkin. Gene squirted his apple often with lemon juice to keep it from browning.I decided to go with a red pear. At first she was going to be a beauty queen pear with eyelashes. Then somewhere along the way I decided she was a little more hillbilly and fun! Hey, you gotta let the art speak to you. 😉
We even carved a few extra apples just to spread our Marzetti® Old Fashioned Caramel Dip into.
I'm thinking these would be perfect for holiday parties. Isn't caramel with apples purdy?
Apple carving really is such a fun family and friends activity. Invite folks over, turn on the music and have a great time. I'm thinking apple carving parties are totally gonna become a thing. You heard it here first. 😉
Happy Apple Carving and be sure to check out my other fun apple recipes!
CROCK POT CARAMEL APPLE DIP
CROCK POT HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE
My favorite fall activity is road trips to see the leaves changing color and also going to Harvest Festivals.
I love to decorate pumpkins in the fall!
We enjoy driving around to look at the fall colors. ???? Thanks for posting such a fun idea! I hate carving pumpkins but we can do apples!
Getting dressed? Haha I love fall fashions. Also cooking/baking - nothing like welcoming the warming of the house instead of dreading it! Hot apple cider... everything about fall is great 😉 Thanks for this!
I like taking my kids to the pumpkin farm and buying pumpkins and produce.
I like wearing costumes for Halloween.
my favorite fall activity is football and tailgating. Love the fall foods, apples and caramel is on the top of the list.
The Apple carving is such a cute and great idea! Simple, fun, and perfect for the little ones. Thank you for sharing.
We go to the state fair. I love it!
Love the apple carving idea abd the caramel dip!
Fall is my favorite time of year . The beautiful colors , smells and food . I love making baked apples , pumpkin bread , pumpkin roll and so many more . We used to carve apples to make witch heads . They dry and look awesome .
Our favorite fall activity is hayrides and pumpkin picking at our local farm ????
I love this idea. We've got a ton of apples and this will be a great way to use them.
I love to walk my dogs in the multi-colored leaves and hear that rustle under our feet in the crisp fall air!
My favourite fall activities are apple and pumpkin picking! I also love baking pumpkin cakes and apple pies and making my own cider.
I guess my favorite fall thing is taking pictures of the beautifull trees bush etc in their fall finery.
I have 3 apple trees that just started producing this year. This a great activity for the nieces and nephews
I like making quilts,wall hangings and table toppers out of Halloween fabric or fall colors fabric.
I love getting out my soup and Apple recipes this time of year. My house sure smells good!!
Love pumpkin and apple picking this time of the year!
I love to make fresh apple pie in the fall. After all an apple a day keeps the Doctor away.
Football!!!
I love all the decorating! Pumpkins, spiders, cats, OH MY!!!
My favorite fall tradition is celebrating my birthday. Bonfires and hoodies are icing on the cake
We love going to our local Mountain community to pick apples and have a piece of freshly baked apple pie!