Canned Spiced Applesauce Food

SPICY APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 25-35 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; mash apples to desired consistency. Serve warm or cold. Freeze option: Freeze cooled applesauce in freezer containers. To use, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Serve cold or heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

CANNING APPLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare a very large pot or bowl with acidulated water in it (by adding lemon juice or ascorbic acid.)
• Wash, peel, core, seed and slice the apples.
• As you work, work in such a way that peeled apple never rests outside the water, to prevent discolouration.
• Put drained apple slices in a large pot.
• For every 1.25 kg (3 lbs / 20 to 30 medium apples / 12 cups prepped) in the pot, add about 125 ml (1/2 cup) water.
• Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and then reduce to a good simmer for 5 minute to 20 to 30 minutes until all the apple is tender (how long will depend on the apple variety) and starting to break down.
• Press through a food mill or sieve or put through a blender or food processor, OR skip this step if you want a chunky sauce.
• Put sauce back in pot. If desired, sweeten it with up to 2 tablespoons sugar per litre / quart of sauce you estimate you have.
• Bring back to a boil.
• Pack hot applesauce into half-litre (US pint) jars or 1 litre (US quart) jars (OR SMALLER.)
• If desired, add 1/2 tablespoon bottled lemon juice per half-litre/ US pint, one tablespoon to the litre / quart jars.
• Leave 2 cm (1/2 inch) headspace.
• Debubble, adjust headspace.
• Wipe jar rims.
• Put lids on.
• Process in a water bath or steam canner or pressure canner.
• Water bath / steam canner: half-litre (US pint) size jars for 15 minutes and litres / quarts for 20 minutes; increase time as needed for your altitude.
• Pressure canner: half-litre (US pint) size jars for 8 minutes and litres / quarts for 10 minutes at 5 lbs (35 kPa) weighted gauge, 6 lbs (42 kpa) dial gauge (adjust pressure for your altitude when over 300 metres / 1000 feet)
• (Note: if you do use smaller size jars, use processing directions for half-litre (pint) jars.

SPICED APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a Dutch oven. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; discard the cinnamon stick. Mash the apples to desired consistency. Serve warm or cold. Store in the refrigerator.

THE BEST HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the apples, sugar, 1 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook until the apples are very soft, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in the lemon juice and cinnamon. Let cool for 5 minutes or so, then transfer the apple mixture to a blender, filling no more than halfway. Remove the center cap from the lid and place it on the blender. Cover the lid with a folded kitchen towel to catch splatters and pulse until smooth. Alternatively, puree in the pan with an immersion blender.
• Transfer the applesauce to a bowl and refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour. Store leftover applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Throw the apples, apple juice and lemon juice into a pan and bring it to the boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer until the apples are soft, about 15 minutes. Stir through the sugar and mix until melted. Add the cinnamon and stir through.
• Puree the mixture in a food processor, blender or food mill. If not using right away, leave to cool and then refrigerate.

APPLESAUCE (FOR CANNING)

Steps:

• Peel, core and quarter apples.
• You will need 3 to 3-1/2 pounds per quart of applesauce.
• Place in large saucepot.
• Cook apples with just enough water so they don't stick.
• Cook over medium heat until soft.
• Puree in food processor or food mill until smooth.
• Return to pan and bring to a boil.
• You may add sugar if desired.
• Taste to see how sweet the apples are.
• You can also add cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
• Keep applesauce boiling and ladle hot sauce into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
• Remove air bubbles and adjust two piece caps.
• Process pints and quarts for 20 minutes in a boiling water canner.
• If you like chunky sauce, only puree half of the apples and crush the other half with a potato masher.
• Prep time is an estimate as it depends on how many quarts of sauce you are preparing.