Saucy Apples

by Christine Chan — June 4, 2008

Have you ever tasted homemade applesauce? If you haven't, you are in for a treat! Homemade applesauce is more delicious than the kind you buy in the store, and it's better for you. Most recipes out there require a cup or more of sugar per dish, but here's the secret: if you use sweet brands of apples, you won't have to add sugar. Below is a recipe for a family-sized portion of applesauce, about 5 cups worth. If you prefer to make a big batch for canning, go to http://www.pickyourown.org/applesaucewomill.htm for directions.

Homemade Applesauce

8 apples of a sweet variety; use a mixture (red delicious, braeburn, melrose, gala, golden delicious, and fuji are great choices)
1/2 cup of filtered water or store-bought apple juice
2 lemon slices
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (to taste)

1. Wash the apples in cold water, then peel and core them. Chop up the apple into slices (an apple corer-segmenter works great; otherwise, eight slices per apple is a good size). Use a paring knife to remove seeds or brown spots.
2. Pour filtered tap water or store-bought apple juice into the bottom of a large thick-bottomed pot, and add the apples and lemon. Bring to a boil and then reduce to medium heat until apples are part liquid and part chunky. Add more water if necessary.
3. For chunky applesauce, stir vigorously with a whisk or potato masher. For smoother applesauce, strain through a coarse sieve or food processor.
4. Make sure you remove the lemon!
5. Add sugar if it's not sweet enough for your palate and cinnamon to taste.
6. Stir thoroughly and enjoy.