I use different apples for applesauce and apple butter. Here are ways to use a variety of apples or just Jonagold and Golden Delicious.
Applesauce
Photo by Taken at Pixabay
The best tasting applesauce is made using a variety of different apples. This is a good opportunity to do some apple swapping with neighbors! If only one apple is used for applesauce, then a sweet-tart variety is best, such as a Jonagold.
Photo by Marco Roosink at Pixabay
Apples have enough natural sweetness that I avoid adding sugar. It’s really not necessary. The sauce maker is a big help if you’re trying to process lots of apples.
Photo: Canology/Norpro Click photo for link
Making applesauce is not difficult, especially if you have a sauce maker, but it can be sticky work. I know there are lots of instructions on the internet. I like this recipe by PickYourOwn because the writer explains all the steps and equipment needed.
Photo: Amazon/Cuisinart Click Photo for Link
If you don’t own a sauce maker, you can peel the apples, remove stems and seeds, then use a stick blender or transfer to a blender jar to puree. Be careful because the apples and the resulting sauce will be hot.
That’s it. Gobble it up fresh or preserve in bottles using proper canning procedures.
Apple Butter
.jpg "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABanana_nut_bread_with_apple_butter_(15128383910).jpg")
Photo by Jeffry W at Flickr license CC 2.0
Photo: Pixabay
My golden delicious apples, when used alone, make a bland tasting sauce that I don’t really enjoy eating. However, they make great apple butter. So, if you make any applesauce that does not taste as good as you hoped it might, consider using it for apple butter. Basically, you will use about 9 quarts of applesauce, slowly cook it down in your crock pot, add a spice blend part way through the process, and end up with about 9 pints of delicious, dark brown apple butter that you’ll want to eat by the spoonful straight out of the jar. It’s also delicious on toast, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, etc., etc. The only difference is I do not add any sugar. Again, apples are sweet enough that they simply don’t need any help.
I also like to use my stick blender to puree the final product a bit more so it is as smooth as I can get it. This is purely optional but it makes for a very nice texture.
FALL is a great time to plant your own fruit trees. Your local nursery may still have some. Otherwise, wait until spring for a great selection.
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