Applesauce!

Macintosh apples were on sale, 3 pounds for $2.69. I think I may have literally squealed when I saw it. Apples hold a special place in my heart. Each crunchy, crisp bite takes me back to the big apple tree in my grandma’s back yard, the one that was always offering apples for snacking, baking, and mashing.

Applesauce, what would life be without you?

So after loading my arms with all the apples I could carry, I spent the evening peeling and slicing and sneaking bites here and there. Sweet and tart, the perfect swirl of red and green, these were apples meant for love.

Add a little water, turn on the heat, and let them cook until they get mushy. Some recipes say put them in a blender or food processor to get them mashed after cooking. Not me. I just keep cooking and stirring until they mush on their own. You run the risk of burning the bottom if yo don’t pay attention, but I think they taste sweeter when they get to cook longer.

A half cup of sugar, a splash of lemon juice (some say use it, others don’t), and a couple shakes of cinnamon. Bring it to a boil, and start ladling into the jars. Try not to steal a taste while you do this, or you’ll end up with burnt fingers and tongue.

Awww.

I’ve got 6 pints, which should last us a couple months but I suspect may run out much sooner. The boys aren’t as wild for applesauce as Saffron and I are, but they may change their mind.

My only regret is that they didn’t help me make it like we had planned. I couldn’t find an apple corer at the store, and didn’t feel comfortable handing them knives. Then plans went to boot and I ended up finishing the apples after they were in bed. Next time we’ll get an earlier start on it all.

Has anyone else made applesauce? Any secret tricks to making it awesome?

Tags: food, fun

Summer is a freelance writer and mother of 3, searching for herself amongst the Legos and blocks. After moving a couple hundred miles away from home, and fighting a few dragons, she's figuring out that she needs to be her own biggest fan to get through the world.


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