Chunky Applesauce

It is a rainy, dreary cold day in Cincinnati.  The type of day that makes you want to curl up in a warm blanket and ignore the world.  BUT if you are a Mom, you can't always do that!  So you look for something to do that will make you feel "warm and fuzzy."  Not that applesauce will make you feel "warm and fuzzy" but it sure will make your house smell good!!

Last weekend, my husband and I took a mini-vacation to Gatlinburg.  When we were leaving, we decided to by-pass Pigeon Forge (traffic is terrible!!).  So we left on Route 321 - beautiful scenic route - highly recommend it!!  Anyway, along the way is a wonderful apple orchard called Carver Apple Farms.  Wonderful people, very nice produce and the prices are equally wonderful!!  Tell them the "Goat Lady" recommended you.  They will say "WHO???"  Well, never mind that!  Anyway, if you are ever in Gatlinburg, do make a point to stop in their farm!

I only bought $30 worth of their apples - wish I had bought more.  They were really great!  So I decided to make homemade applesauce!  This recipe is compiliation of several recipes and is WONDERFUL!

Word of warning . . . this takes a bit of time to make.  So if you are short on time, don't attempt it. You are looking at about a 2 hour commitment!

Ingredients:

7 pounds Apples*

2 cups apple juice or water**

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 T lemon juice

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t nutmeg

Oh my - can't you just smell this simmering on your stove - feeling warm and fuzzy yet??

Now the tedious part - core, peel and chop ALL 7 pounds of apples.  Did you notice the *?  The recipe calls for using Granny Smith apples.  I used a combination of Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious.  Gives a really nice flavor.  Just make sure you are using a "baking" apple.  Now for the ** - I used apple juice, I thought water would be too bland.  I wonder what apple cider would do to this recipe?

OK, back to the recipe.  Once, you have cored, peeled and chopped all 7 pounds of apples and set them aside.  Pour the apple juice or water into a 8 quart pan and mix in the granulated sugar.  Turn on the burner to medium heat and stir to dissolve the sugar.  Add (carefully as this will splash) the 7 pounds of chopped apples to the apple juice or water/sugar mixture.  Now bring this to a boil, cover the pot and let it boil for about 15 to 20 minutes - until the apples become soft.  Remove the pan from the heat.

Now comes the million dollar question.  Do you want chunky applesauce or smooth?  If you want chunky, get out a potato masher and mash those babies!  If you want smooth, process the apples through a blender or a food mill and return to pot. 

This recipe will make 5 pint jars of applesauce.  At this point, you will want to start warming the water in the pot you use for canning and put your jars and lids in there.

Stir in the brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg into the mushed up apples.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes - enjoy the heavenly smell of apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg - feeling warm and fuzzy yet?

Remove the pan containing the applesauce from the heat.  Carefully ladle the sauce into the hot jars.  WARNING - the sauce is VERY hot and it will burn. Trust me, I know!  Cover with hot lids and apply screw rings.  Process the pint jars in water bath for 20 minutes. 

Your family will love you this Winter for the wonderful applesauce!