After buying a bushel of apples, I needed to find things to do with them. So, I turned to the trusty internet to find a proper recipe for applesauce… After not really finding ANY that didn’t require using a food mill (which I don’t have) I decided to try it and see if it was really necessary. This is what I came up with.

5-6 medium Honey Crisp apples (or your favorite variety)
1 nectarine
3 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
dash of apple pie spice

water to cover the bottom of the pan

optional:
2 Tbsp. sugar

Pour enough water into a large heavy bottomed pan to put around 1″ in the bottom. Add the cloves and cinnamon. Set the heat to medium.

Partly peel the apples – leaving some of the skin or all, to your taste. I had some windfall apples, so I peeled those. Cut the core out & discard. Chop the apples into 1″ chunks. Put the apple chunks in the pot.

Peel the nectarine and chop into small chunks. Add this to the apples.

Sprinkle the apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice) over the fruit and let it cook down so that all of the fruit is mushy. Stir occasionally.

When the apples are soft, remove the cloves and cinnamon stick. Using the spatula or a potato masher, mash the apples. If it is too tart for you, add a little bit of sugar. If you start with sweet apples you shouldn’t need any.

Remember that it will be less sweet when it is cold.

This serves around 4 people. You can also separate it into snack cups for lunch boxes. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Since buying a bushel of apples, I have made a batch every day – my family loves it! It is good hot or cold, and would make a very good dessert – just add some graham crackers & whipped cream for an inexpensive treat.