Canning

Applesauce: Six Easy Steps to Can Baked Cinnamon Applesauce

What you need:

Applesauce Ingredients and Tools:

• 30 medium to large apples
• 2 TBS cinnamon
• Apple slicer
• Cutting board

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Prepare and bake the apples.

Thoroughly wash apples. Use apple corer and divider to cut apples. Then remove any brown or soft spots. Leave the peels on the apples.Place the apple slices in a shallow layer on the bottom of a large glass baking dish. We had to use four glass baking dishes to accommodate all our apples. Fill a quarter of each glass baking dish with water.

Bake the apples in the oven for 25-30 minutes until soft.

2. Prepare the jars.

While the apples are baking, wash the pint jars and canning rings in soapy hot water or the dishwasher.

The apples should be soft enough that you could mash them with a fork.

3. Remove the apple peels and puree.

Carefully remove the baked apples from the oven. Let cool slightly, then remove peels with a fork. If the apples are soft enough, much of the peel will fall right off of the apple.Puree the apple slices in a blender until smooth then transfer into a large pot.

4. Add cinnamon and bring to a low boil.

Stir 2 TBS of cinnamon into the applesauce. More or less cinnamon can be used depending on your preference. We did not add sugar to our applesauce, but if you prefer sweeter applesauce this is when you’d add the sugar. Bring the applesauce to a low rolling boil, stirring regularly.

5. Can the applesauce following these steps. Repeat the steps for each jar.

Sanitize a jar and lid: Fill a second large pot with water and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Use tongs to gently place a canning jar and lid into the hot water. Move the jar around using the tongs until the glass is heated. Use tongs to carefully lift the jar out of the water. Place the hot jar on a towel on the counter.Fill the canning jar: Place a funnel on top of the hot jar and use a ladle to scoop the boiling hot applesauce into the jar. (We used the KitchenAid Funnel shown in the photo.) Fill the jar to 1/2 inch from the top. Wipe the mouth of the jar clean if any applesauce got on the rim.

Seal the canning jar: Use the tongs to pull the canning lid out of the boiling hot water. Place the canning lid on top of the filled jar, seal side down. Screw the ring on top of the jar lightly. (Be careful not to over tighten.) Then set the jar aside on a towel and begin to repeat the canning steps for the next jar until all jars have been filled. If there is any applesauce left after all the jars have been filled, it can be refrigerated or frozen.

6. For each jar of applesauce, verify the seal, label and store.

The lids on the jars will make a popping sound as they cool to signify that the jar has properly sealed. Once the jars have completely cooled, check each jar by pressing on the center of the lid. If the lid does not indent or flex when you touch it, the jar is sealed. Any jars that do not seal can be refrigerated. Applesauce could also be transferred to a freezer-safe container and stored in the freezer for future enjoyment. Use a permanent marker to label each jar with “Baked Cinnamon Applesauce” and the date you canned. Store the applesauce jars in a pantry or cool dark closet.

YIELD: 9 pints

Green Sauce

5 lbs tomatillos washed and cut into small hunks

2 lbs anaheim chili's roasted and prepared or 1 lg can roasted green chili

6 jalapenos chopped

3 large onions chopped

1/4 cup lemon juice or to taste

2 cups water

8 cloves garlic chopped

1 TBS Lawry's seasoned salt, or to taste

2 TBS Cumin or to taste

Bring all to a boil and boil covered on low for about 20 minutes.

I then took my stick mixer (immersion blender) and blended all.

Pour into jars, wipe rims and I pressured this at 11 lbs for 25 minutes.

This sauce may have to have some thickening before using. I will be using it as

a sauce for enchiladas and as a soup base. I really like the color and the flavor.

You can add tomatoes if you want as well. If you like spicier add more jalapenos

or a pinch of cayenne powder. I have made this using lime juice insted of lemon and 

really liked it as well. The tomatillos keep this sauce mild. I shop at ethic markets and love it. My tomatillos were 3 lbs for a dollar.