Homemade Applesauce For Canning Food

HOW TO CAN APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set bands aside.
• Combine apples with just enough water to prevent sticking in a large stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 20 minutes, until apples are tender (time will depend upon the variety of apple and their maturity). Remove from heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer apples, working in batches, to a food mill or a food processor fitted with a metal blade and purée until smooth.
• Return apple purée to saucepan. Add sugar, if using, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Maintain a gentle boil over low heat while filling jars.
• Ladle hot applesauce into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.
• Process jars in a boiling water canner for 20 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE FOR CANNING

Steps:

• Rinse the apples well under cold running water. Peel the apples if you are not using a strainer to puree the applesauce. Otherwise remove the cores, cut the apples into chunks, and add to your saucepan.
• Add just enough water to the pot to prevent sticking, about 1/2 cup.
• Cook the apples over medium-low heat to soften, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. After the apples are soft, turn off the heat and let the apples cool.
• Wash your jars, lids, bands, and canning tools in hot soapy water, and rinse well. Set aside to air dry on a clean kitchen towel.
• Place the jar rack into water bath canner, place jars in the canner, and add water to cover. Bring the canner to a simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes, and keep the jars hot until you are ready to fill them.
• Run the cooled applesauce through a food strainer to remove skins, and to puree the sauce. Skip if you prefer a chunky applesauce.
• Return the apple pulp to your saucepot. Taste and add sugar and other flavorings, such as cinnamon, and any other spices, if using. Start out with just a little and adjust until you are happy with the flavor. Thin with water, if the puree is too thick.
• Bring the applesauce to a boil (212˚F) over medium-high heat while stirring to prevent sticking, and keep hot as you fill your jars.
• Spread a kitchen towel on the counter. Use your jar lifter to remove a jar from canner, drain, and place on the towel. Keep the remaining jars in the canner, so they stay hot.
• Use your canning ladle and funnel and add applesauce to warm jars leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
• Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp towel. Center a lid on the jar, and screw on the band until it is fingertip tight.
• Use the jar lifter to place the jar back into the canner, and repeat with the remaining jars. Try to leave some space in between the jars.
• Once the jars are all in canner, adjust the water level so it is at least two inches above the jar tops.
• Cover the canner and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Once water boils vigorously, continue boiling pints for 15 minutes at altitudes of less than 6,000 ft. Adjust processing time for your altitude if necessary (see notes).
• When processing time is complete, turn off the heat, remove the cover, and let the canner cool down and settle for about 5 minutes.
• Spread a dry kitchen towel on the counter, remove the jars carefully from canner, and place on the towel. Leave about 1-inch in between jars. Keep the jars upright, and don't tighten bands or check the seals yet. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24-hours to cool completely.
• After the jars have cooled for at least 12 hours, check to be sure jar lids have sealed by pushing on the center of the lid. The lid should not pop up. If the lid flexes up and down, it did not seal. Refrigerate the applesauce and use within a week.
• Remove the bands and wash the jars well with warm soapy water to remove any residue. Label, date, and store in a cool, dark place, between 50 to 70 degrees F. Use within 12 to 18 months. Refrigerate the juice once opened and consume within a week. Yields about 9 pints.

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 (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.