Some of my favorite traditions from growing up are those of making applesauce in my Great Grandma’s kitchen. Grandma’s house was a magical place full of wildlife, treasures hidden in toy closets, amazing sledding hills and sweet and savory smells that came from the kitchen. Gram was a wiz in the kitchen and knew how to make everything from scratch! Each season brought new flavors and spices, but my favorite was always the fall.
Every autumn we would wake up in the morning and collect huge baskets of apples from the tree behind the kitchen windows in the backyard. Then, my Great Grandma, mom, Grandma, Aunt, sisters and I would spend the afternoon in the kitchen cooking down apples and making delicious and sweet applesauce.
Cooking down the apples was only the first step. We’d spend hours straining, measuring, and bagging the sauce. But with such great company and the promise of homemade macaroni and cheese to commemorate a job well done the time always passed quickly and we had a rockin’ good time.
My family has kept this annual tradition alive even though my great grandma is no longer with us to join in the fun. Though I am often not able to make it being so far from home, I keep the tradition alive in my own home as well! The sweet smell of cooking apples reminds me of Great Grandma and the times we shared together. Making homemade applesauce might take more time than grabbing it off the store shelf, but for me it has created lasting memories that are absolutely priceless. So every autumn, no matter how large or small the batch, at least one round of applesauce is made in our home.
Why Applesauce?
Applesauce is a wonderful fall treat that can be used in baking, as a side for dinner or as a wonderful snack! With no added sugar, but all the fiber and a punch of flavor homemade applesauce is a fan favorite among adults and kiddos alike.
Applesauce is a great substitute for baking that can lower the fat content of your favorite baked goods while keeping your cake and breads moist.
You can make applesauce cooking a tradition in your home as well! All you need is a large pot, some apples (I prefer courtland apples as they are sweet, but have a bit of a tart zing to them and they cook down nicely), a fine mesh strainer and some bowls.
How to Make Applesauce
Ingredients (makes 4.5 pints of applesauce ~ 18 servings):
- 3.5 pounds of apples
- 1/4 C. of water
Directions:
- Prepare the apples by rinsing well under cold running water. Remove the cores, cut the apples into chunks, and add to your saucepan. ** Be sure to peel the apples if you are not using a strainer to puree the applesauce.**
- Add just enough water to the pot to prevent sticking, (approx. 1/4- 1/2 cup).
- Cook the apples over medium-low heat for around 10-15 minutes to soften, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once the apples are soft, turn off the heat and set up your straining station.
- Run the applesauce through a food strainer to remove skins, and to puree the sauce. Skip if you prefer a chunky applesauce.
Thats it! Your sauce is ready to eat!
To serve your apple sauce with a bit of spice you can top it off with cinnamon and sugar (optional). I like to add cinnamon, but omit the sugar.
How to Store your Homemade Applesauce
You can choose to store your homemade applesauce in bags in the freezer, or in cans in your pantry. We have done both with great success! I prefer the canning option as our freezer space becomes limited after hunting season, but either option is great for keeping your sauce fresh and tasting great!
To can your applesauce begin by preparing a hot water bath in a deep pot.
- Fill a pot 3/4 full with water and place over medium-high heat on the stove until it starts to boil.
- While you wait for the water to boil fill your jars with warm applesauce and seal.
- It is important that the applesauce is warm when placing in the jars to can as a cold apple sauce will increase the risk of cracking jars when placed in the warm water bath due to expansion. *
- Once the water begin to boil place the jars in the hot water bath, making sure the water covers the lids of the jars.
- Reduce the heat to medium and let the jars sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the jars from the bath and set them somewhere to cool undisturbed for 24 hours. Be careful not to allow the jars to touch as this can increase the risk of cracking.
For additional tips on canning and storing food please visit the national center for home food preservationists website here.
You can store our applesauce in a cool dark place for 12-18 months when sealed properly.
Enjoy your sweet treat throughout the year!
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