What to do w/ a bagful of Red Gravensteins?

[Carb Lover]

I was gifted yesterday w/ a bagful of Red Gravensteins from someone's tree. Oh no, this means summer is slipping away. But these apples are gorgeous and intensely fragrant, natural air fresheners for my car and house. I ate one and it had a woodsy sweet flavor w/ just a hint of tartness and a slightly powdery texture. I favor more crunchy and tart apples for eating, but these seem great for baking or cooking...

A natural thought is applesauce, but husband and I don't really get into applesauce. I would really love to make an apple pie this weekend, but worry that using all RG will result in a mushy filling. Will these work in a pie?

Other ideas for my stash? I'm planning on making the apple-ginger sorbet from The Perfect Scoop. Thanks for your ideas!

[Carb Lover]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'm going to make a galette or French tart instead of pie. Also think I'll make a little applesauce to test it out since this is what Gravs are known for. I always think of Mott's applesauce which makes me wince, but I'm sure this will be far superior. And I gotta try the apple-ginger sorbet. The caramel apple idea sounds good too, but I fear for my waistline. Perhaps I should dig up funwithfood's caramel apple recipe...Will certainly report back.

[rworange]

If you can get to a Whole Foods or Ferry Plaza farmers market, pick up the caramel sauce from Bodega Cheese. Cut up fresh apple slices, spread with caramel sauce. It will probably be one of the most amazing caramel apples you have ever tried.

Note: I haven't actually tried this yet.

[Melanie Wong]

Even better when the apples are refrigerator cold.

[Melanie Wong]

Here's a link to an ancient post for a quick way to make applesauce with Gravs so you can easily do a test batch. Also try them in apple cake or a galette (better an open-topped pastry than encased in two crusts).
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/16235

[rabaja]

I also was a recent recipient of a large bag of Gravensteins, what a treat.
While I will make a batch of applesauce to have around, I am also going to make a couple of apple tarts. The sliced Gravensteins on a crispy crust work well together, the fruit doesn't break down as much. A thin layer of applesauce under the fanned out slices keeps things moist and a sprinkling of blackberries during the last stage of baking keeps things summery!
Enjoy them, they're not here long.

[mlgb]

Gravensteins are pretty much famous for applesauce, maybe you could try a small batch and see if you like it. You don't need to add any sugar.

Or maybe an apple cake? Apple butter?

They're also famous for cider but I don't think a bagful will be enough!

[ebethsdad]

I don't really like Gravensteins for cooking as they tend to fall apart, but they do make delicious cider.

[bigjimbray]

on making a pie I would add some fuji`s or yellow delicious, that way you will get
the tart with the sweet. you might try fried pies also.