Fall Harvest Applesauce

Just in time for fall, the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and apples waifs through the air. The fall air is crisp and reminds us that the seasons are changing. Fall is a time for apples, various squashes (acorn, spaghetti, pumpkin and butternut), lettuce, Brussels sprouts, beans, leeks, etc--see the list below.

My favorite fruit to get in the fall is the Jonathon apple. I love its crisp sweet taste and I will miss it once the season is over. In order to keep their wonderful taste around, I make applesauce that I freeze. Apples have health properties that make them an asset in a healthy eating plan. Apples also contain vitamin C and antioxidants. Apples range from very sweet (higher sugar concentration) to tart (lower sugar concentration). Ironically, the glycemic index, the scale that determines how quickly and how much foods will raise blood glucose (sugar). Fruits contain fructose but we don't measure blood fructose. Raw apples can help ease constipation with their fiber content. Cooked apples sooth a tummy that is suffering from diarrhea. It is best to eat an apple in its entirety and not separate the fruit from its fiber rich skin. If you are feeding children under the age of 2, please peel the apples.



Cooked Applesauce

Cut Jonathon, Honey Crisp or apples of choice into chunks. Add a few tablespoons of water and 1-2 Tablespoons of red hots. Cook over low heat for a few hours. If using a crockpot, cook on low for 5-6 hours. Gently mash with potato masher.

I then put the applesauce into glass canning jars and freeze after the mixture cools down. These will keep in the freezer for several months.


Raw Applesauce

This is a recipe I used in my Living Gluten Free Casein Free Menu Planner that can be found online at: www.livingglutenfreecaseinfree.com.


This is a nice change to cooked applesauce. If you are giving any of this to a baby, or child under the age of 2 you must peel the apples.

6 apples any kind you like, cored, washed and peeled if you like. I keep the peel as there are a lot of vitamins in it.
Juice from ½ lemon
Pinch sea salt
2 tsp. melted coconut oil (optional)

Cut the apples into wedges. Put the cut apple wedges in a food processor with the S blade. Add lemon juice, sea salt and coconut oil. Process all until apples resemble applesauce, add water if needed until desired consistency.
Serve.


Fall Produce Guide • Winter Squash • Brussels Sprouts • Cabbage • Cauliflower • Dill • Mint • Parsley • Beans • Kohlrabi • Leeks • Onions • Parnsips • Potatoes • Turnips • Rudabaga • Radishes • Potatoes • Pumpkins