Ingredients:
5 lb. apples
2½ cups water
Optional:
lemon juice
sugar
cinnamon stick or ground
Equipment:
Potato masher
Cutting board
Kitchen knife
Large pot
Cooktop
Food mill OR spoon (optional)
Peeler (optional)
Strainer (optional)
Directions:
- Gather all the ingredients and equipment, and wash the apples.
- If working without a food mill then peel and core the apples. Otherwise, the entire apple can be used.
- Cut the apples into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the apples in a large pot with water and optional cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil and stir well.
- Adjust the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the apples are very tender and starting to fall apart, about 45 minutes. Allow to cool until just warm.
- If you did not peel the apples, put the apples through a food mill or use the back of a spoon to stir/press them through the holes of a strainer. (If you used red apples, the skins will have turned your applesauce pink!) If you peeled the apples, you can pour the cooked apples into a bowl and mash with forks, spoons or a potato masher.
- Taste, and if you would like, add a little lemon juice, sugar, and/or cinnamon.