When the days shorten and begin to cool it’s a great time to whip up some healthy comfort food. Humble applesauce fits the bill!
When you prepare homemade applesauce you can be confident your finished product will be a healthy dish with wholesome ingredients – minus all the unhealthy chemicals and preservatives.
The pleasing aroma of cooking apples mixed with cinnamon spices can be beneficial to your senses as well. It has been suggested that cinnamon has a calming effect and can promote better concentration and performance.
I love this recipe because it is only sweetened with medjool dates. Dates are rich in fiber and potassium. They also contain anti-oxidants. Any sweetener should be used with balance in mind. Dates can be a healthier alternative to table sugar.
This recipe makes approximately 5 cups.
Ingredients
- 11 apples (I use a mix of apples for depth of flavor. Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Gala, for example.)
- 1/4 C lemon juice
- 1 C water
- 25 medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 C water
- 1/4 C apple juice
- 3/4 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Preparation Steps
Wash, core, and cut apples into pieces. (TIP: If you are using a mix of apples, cut the softer apples in larger pieces than the harder apples. This allows for consistency in cooking.)
Place the apples in 1 C water in large pan on the stovetop. Pour lemon juice evenly over the apples.
Bring apples to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 30 minutes, until apples are softened.
In a food processor, combine the chopped dates, 1/2 C water, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and apple juice. Process until thoroughly combined.
When apples are done cooking, remove from heat. Place approximately 1/2 the cooked apples into a food mill and allow to sit over a large bowl for 30 minutes. This allows the apples to drain excess juice.
Discard the juice and process the apples through the food mill. Repeat this process with the other half of the apples. (See information on the Food Mill under Kitchen Gadgets.)
Mix the date sauce into the processed apples.
Enjoy your fresh applesauce warm or refrigerate and use as desired.