If you have the fruit/vegetable strainer attachment for your Kitchen-Aid mixer it is a breeze to make delicious applesauce.
All you need for ingredients are apples-I like to use a variety for better flavor and water!
1. Wash your apples in a produce wash if you think they have any sprays or contamination. If they are just dirty/dusty wash in warm water with a bit of soap. Rinse well
2. Chop apples in quarters. Remove stems. If apples are very large, cut in smaller pieces. They must fit through the shoot on the strainer.
3. In a large pan with a tight lid, put enough water to just about cover the bottom. Fill with your apples. Bring to a boil. It takes about 10-20 minutes depending on the apple type. The apples will get soft and puffy. Dump this pan in a large bowl and start your next pan.
4. I let my apples cool a bit before processing through the fruit/vegetable strainer. The strainer will remove all the peel, seeds and hard bits. This is great for your compost pile. Have a bucket at the end of the strainer to catch the refuse. The applesauce will slide down from the strainer and you will need a bowl underneath to catch it.
5. Put applesauce on stove to get hot again if you are going to can it. If freezing go ahead and put into your containers.
6. Fill clean hot jars with hot applesauce and place hot lids on. Process for your altitude.
At what point do recommend adding cinnamon? I love cinnamon in my apple sauce. Do you suppose I could add cinnamon sticks when cooking the apples or should I add ground cinnamon after they are cooked and processed?
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteI would add when reheating before canning. Or stir in before freezing.