unsweetened applesauce

as i've mentioned in one of my last posts, i love fall and everything that goes along with it (except the chilly mornings)! with fall comes apple picking. this is one of my *favorite* things to do. jim and i took isabella, my dad, my two siblings and my best friend, alicia to smolak farms in north andover, mass when we were home a few weekends ago. i've been going there as far back as i can remember. what i didn't remember was how expensive and packed that place can be. jim waiting in line for 2 hrs to get me some of my favorite apple cider donuts. although, i was highly annoyed (surprise) with the wait but as soon as one of those hot donuts hit my mouth...i forgot all about it (until now)!

with apples comes homemade applesauce. i love making and canning it each fall. since isabella LOVES "bapple sauce," i figured i'd give this unsweetened recipe a whirl! super yummy without the extra added sugar = success!


recipe:

6 lbs apples (about 18 apples) - i used 20 apples

2 Tbsp lemon juice

Peel and core the apples, and cut them into chunks
In a large dutch oven, add about half as much water as there are apples. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and boil gently, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until the apples are tender. Remove from the heat and strain.

Puree the apples in a food processor until smooth.

Return the applesauce to the dutch oven and add in the lemon juice. You may optionally add 1 and 1/2 cups sugar, but it is not needed (however, the lemon juice is needed to assure the necessary acidity of the finished product). Bring the applesauce to a boil over medium-high heat. When ready to can, prepare your supplies. Bring the temperature of the glass jars up by processing them in hot water for several minutes. Heat a few cups of water in a small saucepan for the lids. Boil a few cups of water in a small saucepan for the lids. When ready to fill the jars, maintain the applesauce at a gentle boil over low heat. Ladle the hot applesauce into the jars, leaving 1/2″ head space. Process 20 minutes. This made me about 2 large jars and 3 medium.

happy canning!