Apples

My husband has a friend at work who often brings in extra produce and other such treats to share with her co-workers. Jeremy has brought home zucchinis, home-made jam, bean soup mix, and most recently a large sack of cooking apples. Ever since last fall I have been claiming that I wanted to try and make apple sauce in the upcoming fall apple season. However, when faced with the opportunity last week I was less than joyful. I looked at this huge bag of tiny little apples and wondered who was going to have time to peel, core, and chop all those apples.

I did make one little batch of applesauce right away, it was easier than I expected and tasted decent for my first attempt. (The baby didn't complain anyway.) However easy it was, the bag remained untouched on my counter top for nearly a week against my good intentions to use it up productively. Finally this morning my husband said to me, "Why don't you just throw that bag of apples away, I'm sure they are bad by now."

His remark was the motivation I needed to get up and get creative in the kitchen. (Because I couldn't let him be right!!) The results? A yummy apple crisp for dessert tonight.... although I'm not sure what we're having for dinner yet, and a few more jars of apple sauce.



APPLESAUCE
4 cups tart cooking apples (peeled, cored & sliced)
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 t. cinnamon (optional)

In a crock pot or dutch oven combine the apples, brown sugar and lemon juice, stirring to coat the apples. Cover and cook on high until apples are very tender. Mash and stir in the cinnamon (if desired). Serve warm or cold. Makes about 4 cups.