Hoopskirts

The Historical Food Fortnightly Challenge #8 "It’s harvest time in the northern hemisphere, and springtime in the southern hemisphere. Make something either to preserve that produce that you’re harvesting, or replenish your supply after the winter! Fruit and vegetable jams, jellies, and preserves are the focus!" Northern Illinois in late August and early September has seen some sudden rainstorms with very strong winds  During one of these storms, the crab apple tree in front of our church building was toppled.  While accompanying my husband, who is the congregational president, to look at the damage, I noticed the crab apples had ripened to a brilliant glossy red. I had toyed with the idea of making a historic preserve with crab apples for a long time but it kept getting pushed to the back of my "to do" list.  All of a sudden, it was now or never.  The organic supplies were lying on the ground in front of me in easy reach (our congregation does not spray th