Do you remember my 5 boxes full of apples?
The kids and I spent 2 long afternoons turning them into applesauce.
The first step was to wash every apple – we used a solution of Fit and water. This was Buddy’s job and he did it well.
From there the apples went to the table where Dagmar and Angel Girl were waiting. They carefully cut each apple into quarters – removing any bad spots. Notice that the skin and cores are still present? We’ll take care of that soon – I promise.
When we had a pan full of apples, I added some water and put it on the stove to cook. Make sure you stir it occasionally or they will scorch! (Ask me how I know that! 
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Notice the back pan – it’s cooked down just right. The front pan is just starting. Oh dear – there’s a bruised spot the girls missed! Oops!
These apples are cooked down and ready to be sauced. Notice how the skin has released and you can see already see sauce forming?
Now it’s time for the super- duper wonder machine! I LOVE my Victorio Strainer
Voila!
We bought my Victorio 17 years ago and it paid for itself the very first year. It’s saved me money every year since.
Now come the fun part – tasting! If you think it’s sweet enough – go ahead and package it. If not – add the sweetening of your choice.
My whole crew gets involved in this step – everybody has a spoon and an opinion! (For the record – some of them never think it’s sweet enough!)
Once you have the desired taste, you can put the finished sauce in containers and freeze it – or put it in sterilized jars and give it 20 minutes in a boiling water bath canner.
We repeated the process until we had used up all the apples – and now have 100 quarts of perfectly sweetened applesauce sitting in the pantry waiting for a cold winter day.
And that’s a might good feeling!
I’ve linked this post up at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday At Blessed With Grace, Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff and Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
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Just look at what I got at the grocery store!