Mary,

I used to dry apples but we always peeled them first because once the apple
was dried, the peel was so tough. Have you ever used one of those little
apple corers? They're just a gimmicky little thing that looks like a wheel
with spokes. You press it down over your peeled apple and in about one
second it separates the core from the apple and you wind up with nice
slices. I think you can buy them most anywhere.

Sharon