PEACH GINGER APPLESAUCE

PEACH GINGER APPLESAUCE image

Yield 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 lbs. (approx. 10-11) naturally sweet apples (try any combination of Fuji, Honey Crisp, Gala, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady), cored & sliced, peel left on
2 cups sliced peaches, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup (for stove top) or 1/4 cup (for slow cooker) unsweetened apple cider; substitute thawed apple juice concentrate for a sweeter applesauce
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons dry powdered ginger
1 teaspoon almond extract

Steps:

STOVE TOP: Add apple slices, peaches, cider (or apple juice concentrate), lemon juice, ginger, and almond extract to large pan. Bring liquid in bottom of pan to a boil over medium high heat, lower heat to medium, cover and cook for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until apples and skin are soft. SLOW COOKER: Add ingredients, cover, and cook 3 hours on high or 5 hours on low, until apples and skin are soft. (Note: Slow cookers can vary; cooking times are approximate.) BLEND IT: Use an immersion blender (or blender or food processor) to blend the cooked apples into a sauce consistency with whatever texture you prefer--smooth or chunky. (The skin should blend in easily; if not, return to stove or slow cooker and continue cooking until softened enough to blend.) STORE IT: Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 year. Use water process canning to store it at room temperature for up to 1 year.