I bought a case of apples from my CSA last week. I had very good intentions. I would make lots of yummy apple desserts, freeze some apples for desserts in the deep cold winter months and make some muffins, and homemade apple sauce. The problem is, I don’t have time. I managed to peel and slice apples and freeze them, make amazing Apple Gingerbread muffins, thanks to my sisters great recipe, and make Apple Crisp. Alas, the task of peeling the remaining apples, and then cutting them, and cooking them for hours and hours until they are mushy enough for applesauce is beyond my time availability right now. Then along comes my Mom with her solution, the one she used when I was little and she had no time. Don’t cook the apples.

Right, exactly, how good can that be? Evidently, quite good. So I thought I would share the recipe for all of you parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents running around like crazy people, as I am.

All that is required: a food processor or blender, water,organic apples, sugar and lemon juice. (If you are a fan of cinnamon, I would recommend adding it at the table instead of en masse.)

Peel and core your apples, blend them in the food processor with 1/2 cup of water for every five apples or so, add sugar to taste (for tart apples about 1/2-4-1/2 cup cup per 5 apples, depending on your taste) and then add lemon juice (to keep from browning), blend for another  second and voila-yummy applesauce, without the hours of cooking on the stove.

Not using the stove also makes this an activity your kids can help with, they can pour the ingredients in for you and help you figure out when it is the right consistency. It is a great way to teach them how to utilize foods from each season, eating locally and not wasting.

If your child/children are still eating baby food, you can really blend this, add a little more water and use it for baby food instead of store bought applesauce.

-Sheri

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