Apples to applesauce

[astra_nomer]

We went apple-picking yesterday, along with the intrepid marcusmarcusrc. It was a mixed success, because DS1 got upset early on over not getting to pick out the wheelbarrow he wanted, so he spend the rest of the time moping in the car with DH. DS2, on the other hand, had a blast: apples are just about his favorite fruit.

In the afternoon, DH peeled and cored enough apples to fill my biggest mixing bowl, and I cooked them all down into applesauce.

Method:
1) pour 1 inch of apple juice into biggest pot
2) fill pot with sliced apples (luckily, volume of biggest bowl ~= volume of biggest pot)
3) cover pot, turn high on high until boiling vigorously, then turn down to moderate boil
4) cook until done (i.e. apples all mushy)
5) use stick blender to saucify cooked apples

Now, I'm not a huge fan of applesauce: I mean, if it's there I'll eat it, but there are lots yummier things I'd rather eat. But this stuff tasted just like fresh apples, not that watery gruel-like substance you buy in the store. Yum! Anyway, I canned about 5 pint jars, and put the last little bits in containers for DS2's lunches.

Now I am eyeing food grinder attachments for my KitchenAid mixer, on the theory that it will cut on the peeling and coring step. Then again, if DH will do the peeling and coring for me, maybe I don't need it! Home-cooked food tastes so wonderful: if only it didn't take so much time and energy.

That got us through maybe half of one of the three half-bushel boxes we picked. Maybe pies next?

Comments

[schnerf.livejournal.com]

Have you ever used a hand-crank apple peeler/corer/slicer such as http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Apple-Potato-Peeler/dp/B0000DE2SS? They work excellently, and really save time during apple season. I had one at home when I was growing up, and got one for myself a couple of years ago.

[capsicumanuum.livejournal.com]

Yay apple picking. I wish I could have gone with you guys.

I loved my last roommmate's hand crank apple peeler corer slicer. So much fun to turn the crank. But it didn't actually save that much time, and Mike thinks they are stupid and a waste of space.

[ilai]

Mmm, fresh applesauce.... never had it but it sounds tantalizing.

I think if you're good with a knife and peeler then it might be easier to just prepare apples by hand--the corer/peeler/slicer has quite a few little parts to clean. But if you're not good with knives (like me), are dealing with lots of apples, and don't mind imperfection, then the gadget is great. Plus it produces spiral-y strings of apple skin that are kind of fun to eat.