if your house is like mine, then applesauce is a staple.
from my newly-solids-eating 6-month old (woo hoo!) to my school-going lunch-packing 8-year old, applesauce is an easy choice. a simple healthy fruit with no need to crunch and chew, when you have a gummy mouth from either lost front teeth or a mouthful of chompers that haven’t yet come in.
i often buy the pouches of applesauce and stick them in my son’s lunch. recently a very familiar brand recalled their applesauce which reminded me that sometimes if you want something really good, sometimes it’s best to make it yourself!
i’ve been making this applesauce here and there for years. it’s so delicious and because i like to leave it a with a few chunkier pieces, it is worthy of being dessert. but unlike most desserts, this one is slightly sweetened with maple syrup. the maple flavor is undetectable, but together with the apples the sauce just sweet enough! my favorite part of this applesauce is the lemon. strips of organic lemon rind and the lemon’s juice are simmered with the apples, giving it a bright and delicious perk.
do yourself a favor and make this applesauce. it is delightful. and easy. and made of everything you want and nothing you don’t.
Healthy Homemade Applesauce
Ingredients
- 8-9 apples peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 4 large strips of organic lemon rind
- juice of one organic lemon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large Dutch oven or large pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes or until apples are very tender.
- Remove lemon rind strips and cinnamon stick; discard.
- Mash apples with a potato masher for a chunkier sauce. Press through a sieve for a finer sauce.
