Applesauce is not difficult to make though it takes some time. I will update this post with pictures when we make applesauce in the fall (2017). I have Red Delicious apple trees but got no apples this year. Because of this I couldn’t document and the pic isn’t of the applesauce we make. The process is exactly what we do and as soon as we can do this in 2017 I’ll update and post many more pics.
I use Red Delicious apples.
First you wash and quarter your apples cutting out any bad spots. The apples I use aren’t sprayed so they aren’t perfect but perfectly good to use and pesticide free.
Fill a large pot with the quartered apples as much as 3/4 full. Fill about 3/4 of the way full with water and bring to a boil. I recommend doing this outdoors. If you are doing this indoors I would cover the pot with a lid because it will put a LOT of water into the air unless you have a fan you can run.
Once the apples are soft you can scoop them out and put aside. If you have more apples you can put them in the pot and cook them next. Depending on how many apples you are making into applesauce and the size of your pot you’ll have to do this in batches. You may have to scoop out some liquid depending on how many batches you have to do. I would save it (keep reading to find out why).
Next process the apples through a Squeezo Strainer or similar strainer. This will separate the skin and seeds leaving you applesauce. It’s easy to do. You put the apples in the top of the squeezo and turn the handle. Applesauce comes out the screen down the chute, and everything else goes out the end. Catch the applesauce in a bowl or pot, and use whatever to catch what comes out the end. Anyone know of a good use for this? We give it back to nature.
Now you have applesauce. You could can it (water bath required) or refrigerate or freeze it once it’s cooled down.
The liquid left over from cooking the apples can be used to make apple jelly. I’ll post a recipe for this in time back you’ll want to reduce the liquid until it tastes like apple juice and use that to make apple jelly.
What to do with your applesauce?
- You can eat it as is. Maybe with some brown sugar and/or cinnamon.
- Make Apple Butter
- Make an Apple Butter Pie