Have you ever made homemade applesauce? No? It’s easy, and Fall is the perfect time to make it. All the wonderful apples that are in season! If you have a farmer’s market or an apple orchard in your area, I highly recommend visiting them and picking up some apples.
That’s what I did the other day! I am lucky to have West Orchard’s in my area. The market has been open since the 60′s (!), and is now run by Todd and his wife Ame. It’s a great place to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Note: maybe I’m a little biased, as I worked there as a teenager, picking strawberries for the market.
Anyways, while I was in there getting apples for pies (Golden Delicious and Jonagold), I picked up a couple zucchini for my dinner, and I wandered over to the bags of “seconds” apples. Seconds are slightly bruised, but in no way inedible. Ame walked by and asked if I had any questions and I told her I wanted to make applesauce- what would she recommend. She told me the Melrose is a sweet apple that is great for eating as-is, but it also holds up well for baking (or applesauce). I took her advice and bought a bag (1/2 peck). I’m glad I asked! I peeled an apple (I can’t eat the peel- of any apple) and really enjoyed the taste. Sweet and juicy!
Making applesauce is very easy. I added sugar to mine (as Nick likes sweet applesauce), however, if you like the sweetness of whatever apples you are using, you can totally do without the sugar. For the liquid, I added apple cider, but you could just add water (or apple juice). One more note, I made mine in a large saucepan on the stove-top, but this would work really well in a slow cooker.
Homemade applesauce
Makes: 13 cups
Prep time: 30 minutes Cooktime: 1 1/2 – 2 hours
5 pounds peeled, cored, and cubed apples
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups apple cider (can also use apple juice or water), divided
3 tablespoons cinnamon
In a large saucepan, combine apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir till the cinnamon and sugar coat most of the apples. Pour over 2 cups of apple cider. Place pan over medium heat and let cook till the apples get soft- about 1 1/2 hours…stirring every 10-15 minutes. Note: I held back 1/2 cup of the apple cider until the apples started breaking down and then added it in- you might not need the extra 1/2 cup depending on how much liquid your apples give off. Once your apples are soft, you can mash them with a potato masher or an immersion blender, to the consistency you like. Remove from heat and let cool. Portion into containers and enjoy!
Apples, sugar, and cinnamon
Almost there!
All done!
Made with love, not calories!
It’s nice to have a place nearby to buy apples. I have an apple orchard and all of the varieties you mentioned are delicious. You are right about what an apple looks like on the outside. The blemishes on the outside of an apple don’t affect the inside and you save money.
Karen,
Your own apple orchard? How wonderful that must be!