How to make Home Made Applesauce

It's Autumn, and apples are cheap! I love apples, and I got a screaming deal on 75 lbs. You can usually get better prices from your local growers if you ask for their seconds, or culls. These are the apples that aren't as pretty as the others, and can't be sold at a premium price. Often, growers are happy to give you good deals for these, to keep them from becoming animal feed. Check at your local farmer's market, or look for neighbors with lots of apples in their trees.
Home made applesauce is easy and delicious, and fun to make.

Step 1 Equipment needed

Large pot with lid
Large sharp knife
Cutting board
Large bowl
Small strainer with a handle
-OR-
A slotted spoon
Measuring cup
Measuring spoon
Spoon or other implement for stirring (I like wood)
Foley Food Mill
-OR_
Wire strainer with a rubber Spatula
-OR-
Cone-shaped strainer with wooden pestle

Comments

[zascecs]

How thick does the 1 inch of ginger need to be?

[Poppa Chubby]

I used that amount as a guide. I like ginger, so I use a lot more typically. Try it, and adjust to suit your own taste. It will also vary with the sweetness of your apples. I would use more with sweeter apples.

[zascecs]

Ooops, i didn't notice you responded.

[jeff-o]

Great instructable! You can also make pear sauce the same way, or tasty pear-apple and raspberry-apple sauce hybrids! Mmmm!

[canida]

Add cranberries!

[Poppa Chubby]

Ummm.... I hadn't considered cranberries, but I'm gonna have to do it now you've stuck that in my noggin. I'll let ya know.

[Poppa Chubby]

There are many fruit combos that work well. I like peaches in mine. Hmmm... I have some frozen strawberries....

[zascecs]

What type of apples do you suggest using?

[Poppa Chubby]

Red and golden Delicious are very sweet, Granny Smith quite tart. Fuji, Braeburn, and Criterion are moderately sweet. I used a mix, but mostly Criterion, and it was sweet enough that no added sugar was needed. The batch I made with Red Delicious was very sweet. It's all personal preference.

[jeff-o]

The original instructable said it best, choose a mix of apples that are naturally sweet so you don't have to add much sugar (and ideally, none at all). If you're making apple-cranberry sauce, choose a very sweet apple to offset the tartness of the cranberry.

[jeff-o]

Hehe, I'd eat all the peaches before they could be made into apple sauce. ;)

[zascecs]

How thick is the 1 inch of ginger because it could be thick or thin.

[Poppa Chubby]

This was maybe 1/2" thick. I actually added a LOT more, 'cause I like ginger. You could also use dried ginger powder, I'd use about 1/2 as much ginger as cinnamon.

[cainunable]

Looks greats. I was actually thinking about making applesauce just last week. I hadn't thought about adding fresh ginger for some reason, nice touch.

[jessyratfink]

Really easy! I might have to try this now. I've wanted an excuse to buy a mesh strainer anyway. ;)

[Poppa Chubby]

If you like cool old kitchen stuff, then you should consider a Foley Food Mill. It's WAY faster and easier than a mesh strainer.

[Rock Soldier]

I remeber making this is beginner garden. I'll have to do this at home