applesauce

Originally, I wanted to make apple butter and pumpkin pancakes this weekend. Big surprise, I changed my mind. When I saw the apples we picked from last weekend on our counter, I wanted nothing else but applesauce.

Applesauce belongs in the top ten easiest homemade awesome yummyness ever. The smell took me right back to days of my mom and grandma canning. My family always used foley food mills to strain the peels and mash the apples for large batches to can. Since I don't have a foley food mill and I only made a small amount, I peeled my apples and mashed it with a wooden spoon. I boiled the peels with the apples to give that pretty pink color (my favorite) and add more nutrients. 

Homemade Applesauce
6 medium-size apples (I used a combination of macoun and liberty)
3/4 to 1 cup water
None to 1/4 cup sugar

Core apples. Peel apples. Chop apples. Use some fresh lemon juice to keep apples from browning.

Mix apples, water, and sugar. Add apple peels (this gives applesauce a pretty pink color and more nutrients). Bring to a boil, cover and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Allow to cool, remove peels, and mash with a fork or potato masher. I didn't even mash it, stirring occasionally made it into a chunky applesauce. Add cinnamon if desired. Serve warm or chill then eat. Makes a small batch: four servings.

I hope you have a chance to make applesauce this fall. The smell alone makes you smile. Enjoy!