Applesauce Season

It is officially fall here in New England. And autumn kicks off the season of all things apple and pumpkin. As if you haven't seen the million facebook posts and tweets about pumpkin lattes and apple picking.

The family I work for also joined the apple picking club and brought home more apples than we knew what to do with- and so our first cooking venture together was making our own applesauce. And if you can peel an apple- then you can make this applesauce. It's beyond simple!!

Easy Applesauce 

Counter:

10 large apples, peeled and cored 

Juice of 1 lemon

Enough water to barely cover the apples, my pot used about 7 1/2 cups.

Pantry:

2 cinnamon sticks 

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger 

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 cup white sugar 

Tools:

Large pot with lid

Slotted spoon 

Blender or food processor 

Measuring cups/spoons 

Add all the ingredients to the pot and then add cold water to just barely cover the pot. Stir together and cover with a lid. Turn heat on low to medium and allow to simmer until apples begin to break down. It took about 20-25 minutes on a gas stove. 

Once the apples are broken down and soft, remove from heat. You can allow to cool for 10 minutes before processing.

Using the slotted spoon, add just the apples into the blender. Pulse the apples until the consistency you want. I like my applesauce fairly smooth with just a little chunks. If the sauce is too thick for you- add a little of the cooking liquid. Continue this process until all the apples are blended and smooth. 

Now at this point taste the apples for flavor. I did not want to add any extra sugar as this was for the kids- so ours was slightly sweet but still tart. You might prefer a more sweeter applesauce so make sure to add more sugar while sauce is still hot so the sugar dissolves. I recommend only adding a tablespoon at a time- you don't want to over sweeten it (or maybe you do, no judgments). 

Allow to sit out for 30 minutes to come to room temperature and then put into mason jars or Tupperware and chill in the fridge. This will last 7-10 days in the fridge. 

This is great to eat for both kids and adults. I like to dip pretzels in mine- thanks to my friend Leslie who taught me that in grade school. It is also great as a substitute in baking. Grab some apples and give it a go! So simple! Xo

Charlies faces as he tries the applesaucefor the first time are classic!!