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Spiced Applesauce

Source of Recipe


From "Food in Jars" by Marisa McClellan



List of Ingredients



• 5 pounds apples (a mix of varieties is best so choose your favorites)
  
• 1/2 cup apple juice or cider
  
• 2 whole star anise
  
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
  
• 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  
• 1 cup (about) granulated sugar
  






Instructions



1. Prepare a boiling water bath and 4 regular-mouth 1-pint jars. Place the lids in a small saucepan, cover them with water, and simmer over very low heat.
   
   
2. Peel and chop the apples. Put them in a large, nonreactive pot. Add the apple cider and star anise. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the fruit has broken down, about 15 to 20 minutes.
   
   
3. Remove the star anise. Using a potato masher or immersion blender, break down the fruit until it is a chunky sauce. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Taste and add as much sugar as your taste buds determine necessary.
   
   
4. Pour the applesauce into the prepared jars, leaving 3/4-inch headspace. Wipe the rims, apply the lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
   
   
5. When the processing time is up, remove the canning pot from the heat and remove the lid. Let the jars sit in the pot for an additional 5 minutes to prevent the applesauce from reacting to the temperature change and bubbling up out of the jars.
   
   Makes 4 (1-pint) jars.