It’s apple pickin’ season, and there are lots of great uses for apples, but most people don’t think of making homemade applesauce. That’s a shame because it is very easy. My mother used to make this for us, and I make it for my kids, too. It is a favorite with pork, and a good way to use up those apples in your frig that may be a little bruised or past their prime. This is an adaptation of a recipe from my old and tattered Fanny Farmer Cookbook.
Homemade Applesauce Serves 4 (takes a little time, but worth it) 8 apples, any assortment, whatever you have lying around Peel, core, and cut apples up into small chunks. Dump into a saucepan and add 1/4 cup of water. Add sugar and spices. Cover and cook slowly for 30 minutes or so, stirring occasionally and checking to ensure that the water does not completely evaporate. If necessary, add a little more water, but the mixture will probably be fairly watery at this point. Using a fork, check for tenderness. You will probably have to continue to cook them, uncovered, for another 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the liquid and to get the apples completely tender. This isn’t rocket science – you will know when they have reached the desired thickness and tenderness, and a lot depends on what type of apples you are using. When tender, mash and stir with a fork. The finished applesacue will be chunky, warm, and soft. When done, add 2 TB butter, allow to melt, and stir. The applesauce may be served immediately, or you may wait to serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s also good cold and, if you are so inclined, you could probably use a blender or food processor to make it perfectly smooth. We like it warm and chunky though.
1/4 cup water, additional if needed
2 TB sugar, adjusted for taste depending on the sweetness of your apples
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of ground cloves (totally optional, don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand)
Dash of ground nutmeg (again, totally optional)
2 TB Butter
Here is what it looks like served with BBQ Country Style Pork Ribs and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes. There will be no leftovers.
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