Cooking enthusiasts are always hunting for fresh ways to spice up their kitchen game with exciting recipes and flavorful ingredients, from crispy dill pickles to sweet and tangy pickles and zesty salsa. But here’s the twist: even the most seasoned chefs can’t resist the magic of applesauce! So, grab your aprons because, in this article, we’re digging deep into the fun world of canning applesauce—keeping it fresh, easy, and oh-so-delicious! Ready to create some kitchen magic? Let’s get started!
Why Can Applesauce?
Folks, if you are looking for how to make homemade applesauce, let’s see why there is a reason to do that. In addition to maintaining the freshness and taste of homemade applesauce, canning applesauce provides a number of additional advantages:
1. Nutritional Preservation: The nutrients found in fresh apples are preserved during canning.
2. Convenience: Keeping canned applesauce on hand provides you with a snack or recipe item that’s ready to eat.
3. Cost-Effective: Canning and preserving your own applesauce can be less expensive than purchasing store-bought varieties, especially during apple season.
4. Customizable: You can change the sweetness, texture, and flavor of Homemade applesauce to your personal taste preferences.
Given these benefits, everyone might desire to make and can applesauce in jars to consume whenever they need to.
Ingredients to Can Applesauce
Ingredients
- 10-12 pounds of apples (a combination of varieties tart and sweet, such as Granny Smith, Gala, and Fuji)
- One cup of water
- Sugar (to taste, optional)
- Lemon Juice (Optional, to improve flavor and stop browning)
- Spices (optional; try nutmeg or cinnamon)
Equipment
- Large pot
- Apple peeler or paring knife
- Cutting board
- Food mill, potato masher, or immersion blender
- Jars for canning that have bands and lids
- A large stockpot or canning pot with a rack
- Funnel
- Ladle
- Jar lifter
Step-by-Step Applesauce Canning Recipe
Let’s have a look at the easy recipe to can the applesauce, and we will also unravel how long to do it.
Prep the Apples
First, clean and slice your apples to ensure smooth, even cooking.
- Clean: Rinse well to remove any dirt.
- Slice & Peel: Cut into even pieces; leave some peels if you like them chunky.
Cook the Apples
Add water and simmer until apples soften into a mashable texture.
- Simmer: Place apples in a pot with a cup of water.
- Soften: Cover and stir occasionally for about 20 minutes.
Make the Puree
Mash or blend the softened apples to your preferred texture.
- Mash: Use a potato masher for chunky or an immersion blender for smoothness.
- Flavor: Taste and add sugar, lemon, or spices if desired
Prepare the Jars for Canning
Sterilize your jars to keep the applesauce fresh and safe.
- Sterilize: Wash jars in soapy water, then boil for 10 minutes.
- Warm Lids: Simmer the lids in a small pan (avoid boiling).
Fill the Jars
Pour applesauce carefully, leaving room at the top for a secure seal.
- Funnel & Fill: Pour applesauce, leaving ½ inch of headspace.
- Release Bubbles: Slide a non-metal tool along the inside edges.
Process the Jars
Boil the jars to ensure a good seal and preserve the applesauce.
- Boil: Place jars in a pot, covering them with at least an inch of water.
- Time It: Boil for 15–20 minutes (adjust if at high altitude).
Cool & Store
Allow jars to cool undisturbed, then check the seals before storing.
- Lift & Cool: Remove jars and let them sit for 12–24 hours.
- Check Seals: Press lids; if they don’t flex, they’re sealed.
These are some simple steps to can the applesauce. However, it is worth mentioning that there are several other methods, such as pressure canning the applesauce and how long it takes to do it, canning the applesauce without a canner, and others. You can opt for any preferred method according to your personal inclinations.
Easy Recipe for Applesauce
You can also check the easy recipe below:
Ingredients
- Four pounds of mixed varieties of apples
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup water (optional)
- Sugar (optional) to taste
- One teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Guidelines
- Get the Apples Ready: Clean, peel, core, and cut the apples.
- Prepare the Apples: Put apples in a large pot with water. Simmer over medium-high heat for 15–20 minutes or until the apples are tender.
- Puree: Blend or mash with an immersion blender until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Season: If preferred, add cinnamon, lemon juice, and sugar. To suit your taste, adjust.
- Store: Eat fresh, store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or use the same method for long-term preservation.
However, you can make the applesauce in a pressure cooker and the recipe to it is listed in Sara’s article.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, the article covered a detailed guide to can the applesauce so it can be consumed later. You can follow the steps as they are mentioned in the article to maintain the freshness of this versatile ingredient. You can use it as a perfect side dish to make your ordinary dishes a bit rich and sweet.
Happy Canning!
