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How to make a one meal batch of applesauce with NO special equipment
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OK, so you don't want to can a dozen quarts, you just want enough for a dinner meal? Here's the quick and easy way to make applesauce with NO special equipment. If you want to can larger quantities of applesauce for later, see this page instead. And of course, you can freeze the applesauce instead (it keeps indefinitely in a good freezer).

The applesauce will taste MUCH better than anything you've ever had from a store, and by selecting the right apples, it will be so naturally-sweet that you won't need to add any sugar at all.

Directions for Making Applesauce

Ingredients and Equipment

12 medium or large Apples
vegetable peeler
Cinnamon

At least 1 large pot
Large spoons and ladles

Recipe and Directions
Step 1 - Selecting the apples The most important step! You need apples that are sweet - NOT something like Granny Smith's. Yeah, I know you like them (why do sweet women like sour apples???) and even if I did, they still wouldn't make good applesauce - you'd have to add a lot of sugar. Instead, choose apples that are naturally sweet, like Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Rome and always use a mixture - never just one type. This year I used 4 bushels of red delicious and one each of Fuji, Yellow Delicious, Gala and Rome. This meant it was so sweet I did not need to add any sugar at all. And the flavor is great! The Fuji's and Gala's give it an aromatic flavor!	Step 2 - How many apples and where to get them You can pick your own, or buy them at the grocery store.
	Step 3 -Wash and peel the apples! I'm sure you can figure out how to wash the apples in plain cold water. Peel the apples just as you would a potato!
Step 4 -Chop the apples With a knife cut the apples into quarters, (4 segments each). Cut out the stem, the seeds in the center, and any hard parts around the seeds, stem and other end of the apple. Also cut out any soft brown spots!

	Step 5 - Cook the Apples Pretty simple: put about 1 inch of water (I used either filtered tap water or store brand apple juice) on the bottom of a huge, thick-bottomed pot. Put the lid on, and the heat on high. When it gets really going, turn it to medium until the apples are soft through and through. Stir vigorously if you want smooth applesauce; if you like chunky applesauce, just be gentle in stirring so you don't break up all the chunks! You can also put them into the food processor or blender to whip them into a smooth puree!
Step 6 - Add the cinnamon! Add cinnamon to taste. I usually add about 1/2 teaspoon per batch! If you chose sweet apples, you should not need to add any sugar. That's it! You're done! It's great warm or cold!

Home Canning Kits

This is the same type of standard canner that my grandmother used to make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti sauce. This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer, and the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book. It's much cheaper than buying the items separately. You'll never need anything else except jars & lids (and the jars are reusable)! There is also a simple kit with just the canner and rack, and a pressure canner, if you want to do vegetables (other than tomatoes). To see more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!

Deluxe Food Strainer & Sauce Maker

See this page for more information, reviews, descriptions of other strainers and supplies or to order!

Lids, Rings, Jars, mixes, pectin, etc.

Need lids, rings and replacement jars? Or pectin to make jam, spaghetti sauce or salsa mix or pickle mixes? Get them all here, and usually at lower prices than your local store!

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Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

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