Apple Season

This is apple season! My children manage to eat at least two apples EACH just about every day of the year. SO, this time of year is always so nice when FRESH apples are so abundant. We usually get our apples from a local orchard, but this year a neighbor of ours has offered to let us have as many apples as we’d like from her HUGE apple tree (free!). The girls have been bringing home bushel-fuls! We’ve made apple crisp, apple pies, apple butter, and LOTS of applesauce. I assumed everyone knew how to make applesauce, but for those who don’t realize how easy it is…..here is the “recipe”! :) (I promise not to reveal who pleaded ignorance on the subject!)

Peel and core apples, dropping them by slices or chunks into a pan on the stove.

When you have as many as you want, add some water, maybe an inch or less in the bottom of the pan. Put the cover on, and cook til apples are sorta soft….

Then put the soft apples along with some of the liquid into your blender. Blend to desired consistency, and that’s it.

At this point, you can eat it, freeze it, or can it. I’ve done all of the above….but around here it often gets eaten warm before it ever gets to the canning jar!

Yes, you’ve read this right. There is NO ADDED SUGAR. Tastes great the way it is! And, this applesauce is a wonderful topping for pancakes and waffles, especially with a dallop of whip cream. (That does not read “Cool Whip”. LOL)

Note: If you don’t have a blender, cook apples til they are softer and mushier. Then just mash them with a fork, or leave it a little more chunky than smooth…and imagine yourself as Ma Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie)!

Someone also just gave us a bushel of pears (hard ones that have good taste, but are as crisp as an apple and won’t get any softer). So, we’re going to try making pear-applesauce tomorrow! :) Apple pie filling is next….