I make this applesauce with Gravenstein apples that grow in my yard. You can use any type of apples that you have on hand! Gravensteins have a little more tart of a flavor then other apples.
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This year I have such an abundance of these apples! I have made 3 batches of applesauce so far and I plan on making at least 3 more!
This year I told myself I was going to make applesauce and can it before I started baking with our apple harvest. Since I love to bake it is always easier for me to utilize our fruit in that way, but this year we have so many apples and I want to use them all up! Not waste any! #goals
So I started making the applesauce and I actually really enjoy it! My whole family loves to eat it warm and we have been eating it until we are full! Plus, it is the best tasting applesauce! I like to simmer the apples a bit longer than most. My theory is that cooking them a little longer concentrates it a little bit more which equals more flavor! I also add some fresh lemon juice and a small amount of sugar! This makes some tasty applesauce! Oh yeah, don’t forget the cinnamon!
We can’t help but eat at least a third of it while I’m making it! It’s so good warm! It really sets the tone on the time of year. I know my kids will have great memories of eating warm applesauce every summer to fall.
I recommend using organic non sprayed apples. Apples are on the dirt dozen list. They absorb some of the highest levels of pesticides if using non organic. You want good, clean applesauce for your family!
I use a food mill like this one from Amazon.
Below is the recipe for the applesauce, but if you want to can the sauce then you will need to follow directions below. While the apples are cooking you can prepare for the canning.
Applesauce Recipe
You will need:
- 10-12 lbs. of apples
- Large stock pot
- food mill
- apples
- cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon
- sugar
- lemon juice
Start by washing your apples. Then quartering them. Leave the peels on. Place your apples in the pot. I fill my pot almost to the very top with apples. Toss in a few cinnamon sticks or sprinkle in some ground cinnamon. whichever you have on hand. Pour in about one inch of water to your pot of apples. Now simmer away stirring often for about 50 minutes. I keep a lid on it.
Once the apples have simmered and are now mushy you can process them through the food mill into a bowl. After processing them you can return them to the pot. Once you put the applesauce in the pot you can stir in a cup of sugar and juice from half a lemon! If you want to eat it how it is or keep it in the fridge for a few days then it is ready to go! If you want to can it for later follow directions below.
Canning The Applesauce
You will need:
- Mason jars with lids and bands
- canning pot with lid
There are many more small tools you can use for canning but these are the necessities. Here is a canning supply kit from Amazon. This is the one I use. Here is a canner that I have as well.
While the apples are cooking I wash the mason jars, lids, and bands. I like to use quart size jars because we have a big family that will eat at least one of these jars at a time!
I put my canning pot on the stove filled about 3/4 of the way with water. Once the jars of applesauce are in the pot it makes the water level go up and cover the jars.
After washing the jars I place them straight in a 200 degree oven laying them on their side. This keeps them hot and free of any lingering germs or bacteria. Now I place the lids and bands in a small simmering pot of water with a lid on it.
When I am done processing the apples through the food mill I grab out a few jars from the oven with my hand tongs, they will be very hot, and a funnel to pour the sauce into the jars until their about a half inch from the top. Making sure the mouths of the jars are clean I wipe them off with a damp clean cloth. Then go ahead and screw on the lids.
Once the lids are on all the jars you can put them in your canning pot with the lid on and give them a water bath. This ensures that they don’t have any bacteria in them! Once this comes to a boil continue to boil for 15 minutes.
When they are done boiling turn off the flame and remove the lid from the pot. Let it stand and cool off for 5-10 minutes then take out your jars of applesauce! While they finish cooling you will hear them “pop” and this is ensuring that they are sealed! If one of the jars doesn’t seal tight, the top of the lid has flex to it, then eat that jar right away or keep it in the fridge and eat within a few days.
Happy Canning!
