Fall Treat: Apple Butter

Apple picking almost always leads to the making of apple butter, as well as way too many apples.


You'll Need: (makes about 7 cups)
-16 cups chopped Stayman apples (do not peel, also, you could use a different variety if you want)
-1 cup apple juice
-2 cups sugar
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
-1/2 teaspoon allspice
-a huge pot
-a potato ricer or food mill
-containers for freezing

First.


Chop all of the apples and dump them in a huge pot on the stove.

Second.


Pour the apple juice over the apples and crank up the burner to medium-low heat.  Cook the apples down with the lid on for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally until they are mushy enough to put through the ricer.

 Third.


Spoon the cooked down apples into the ricer/food mill over a large bowl.  Remove skins as you go.

Fourth.


Return mushed apples to pot and add sugar and spices.  Cook for about 30 minutes.  Then it's done! Try it on some freshly baked bread or if you're from up north, a slice of scrapple! I tried it with bacon bits--delicious!

Fact of the Matter: It is crucial to make apple butter every year.