Another Fun Fall Recipe - Apple Butter

Its that time again....a fun recipe the whole family can enjoy! This one was inspired by a great treat we have here in the great Northwest -- Apples! If you are lucky enough to get a hold of some Honey Crisp Apples - oh they are so naturally sweet and so good! We love them so much I planted a "dwarf" Honey Crisp Apple tree in my back yard.

Washington Apples are delicious especially now when they are in season. There are a multitude of reasons it's best (when possible) to buy in season:

1. It is the freshest
2. It is the most flavorful
3. It is most abundant - which translates in economic terms as: cheapest! (supply and demand)

Doesn't nature know just how to do it! Gotta love it!

So after being surrounded by so many apples, I asked, as is custumary with Alina's Cucina, "What country or culture does something special with Apples?" Lucky for me my sister-in-law's family is of German decent and on their farm in rural Illinois they make Apple Butter this time of year...again with abundance of apples it is a great way to preserve and can them. It is a big deal for them and the whole town gets involved. I have not made it down there to witness this event just yet, but is on my list!

I won't bog you down with the whole preserving process. Instead I came up with my own take on German Apple Butter that is super easy to do and makes a small batch -- no need to call the neighbors over for help! What I can tell you as you cook this and the aroma of the apples, cinnamon and cloves takes over your house ,your neighbors will be lining up asking, "What are you making?"

Just a couple things before you get started:

1. There is no butter in apple butter. The term is used to describe the consistency - think of peanut butter or almond butter. (And if you didn't know, there is no butter peanut butter either :)

2. This recipe is like a two-for-one special. Because the first step in making apple butter is making applesauce - you now will now know how to make applesauce, which is a recipe in and of itself!

3. It is super easy to make and it just takes a few hours - so if you have time and you're going to be home for an afternoon - then it is perfect!

The Goods:

Apple Butter

Recipe by: Shane Valentine

Stage 1 - Make Applesauce
Ingredients:

2 pounds of Apples (preferably a sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady)
5 Cups of Water

Directions:

1. Slice apples (leave on the skin, core and seeds - they will be removed in the next step) and simmer in a pot with water that covers them for about 40-45 minutes until tender and soft.
2. Once done, remove apples and press through a fruit strainer or food mill. Discard skins and seeds.

Now you have Applesauce! (See how easy!) Yield approx. 2-2 1/2 Cups

Stage 2 - Making Apple Butter

Ingredients:

Your fresh Applesauce
1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 C Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Allspice
1/4 tsp Cloves

Directions:

In a pot, combine your applesauce and all the ingredients and simmer on medium to low heat until thickened. Stir occasionally for approximately 2 hours. (Every 15 minutes or so, give it a little stir.)

Enjoy on toast and here is a great snack idea (it's one you can serve at a holiday party - maybe on Thanksgiving as an appetizer: Take crackers and spread creamy goat cheese (can be found at your local Trader Joe's) and top with a dollop of your Apple Butter - I promise you it will be a hit!!!

It is also a great addition to your baby's warm cereals or yogurt! YUM!

Have fun and let me know how it turns out!

Take care - With Gratitude,

Shane

(c) 2009 Shane Valentine
Photo courtesy of New York Apple Assoc.
(c) New York Apple Association