Applesauce

It's the fall, which, in the Northeast, means it's time for haunted hayrides, corn mazes, and apples. Apple cider, apple picking, apple cider donuts, apple pies. Oh, and fresh apple sauce. Farmers' markets around the region have more apples than you can shake a stick at, and in more varieties than you thought exist.

If you're unsure which apples to use for applesauce, ask the person manning the booth. They tend to be knowledgeable. I wish I remembered which variety I chose, it wasn't one I had heard of before I bought them, though. I picked a tart and sweet apple. 

Now, you may have difficulty assembling all the ingredients necessary to make homemade applesauce.

Yep, apples, lemon, cinnamon and sugar. That's it. Also, you'll need a wooden spoon, some water, and a pot.

I did a peeled applesauce, some people don't peel the apples, it's up to you. So, peel the apples and slice them in 3/4" cubes.

Now, toss the apples with about 1/4 cup of sugar (you can vary this based on the inherent sweetness of the apple). Throw the apples and sugar, in a pot with 2 cups of water.

Bring the whole thing to a boil. Reduce it to a simmer, and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes.

Add 1 tsp of cinnamon and the juice from half a lemon to reduce oxidization. 

Sometimes you may have to mash up the applesauce a bit to get everything even. I just gave it a couple of stirs, and it looked like this.

As always, feel free to add more or less sugar depending on the taste, likewise with the lemon and cinnamon. I got about three cups worth of applesauce out of this it's already gone on potato pancakes (early for those, but I couldn't resist) and I mixed the applesauce with some curry power and topped panko breaded pork chops with it.

Ingredients:

6 small tart apples

1/4 cup white sugar

2 cups water

1 tsp cinnamon

Juice from 1/2 a lemon

Procedure:

1. Peel and dice the apples.

2. Toss the apples with the sugar and place in a pot with 2 cups of water.

3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30-40 minutes

4. When the apples have cooked down, add the cinnamon and lemon juice. 

5. Let cool and eat with anything, or by itself.