***UPDATE***
I no longer peel my apples, nor do I slice them. I simply wash them, core them, cook them as described below, then run them through my Blendtec Blender. It is much healthier and saves so much time to do it this way! And the applesauce is delicious. That’s always nice. :)
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One of the best “fall smells” I can think of is applesauce cooking on the stove. It is SO YUMMY!!!
Here’s a step by step of the easiest way I’ve found to make applesauce. (But be sure to read Canning 101 first if you’re unfamiliar with the basic steps of canning safely!)
I slice my apples like this, then peel each slice.
I find this to be much easier than peeling the whole apple first and then slicing it.
As I slice and peel, I put my apples into a big pot. At the bottom of my pot is 5 cups of water and 3 teaspoons of ascorbic acid (powdered vitamin C).
As I continue to add apples, I stir them into the water/ascorbic acid frequently so that the apples are all coated with the mixture and are much less likely to turn brown.
Once I have my pot 3/4 full of apples, I put it on the stove…
and bring it to a boil, then simmer it (uncovered)
for about 30 minutes or until the apples are tender.
Then, I spoon the tender apples with some of the liquid into my blender (I highly recommend the Blendtec now)
and blend it all up until it is smooth.
Isn’t it pretty!!! Next, I pour the applesauce
into sterilized jars with a wide mouth funnel.
I hot water bath my jars for about 25 minutes.
And like always, after I pull them out of the hot water, I set them on my counter for several hours (or days) so that I can admire them and feel happy about my applesauce. Ahh…..beautiful!
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