posted by Chefmom 08-17-101 11:00 AM
Putting Food By
Apple Butter
Use prime fruit or the good parts of culls and windfalls. Spice can be added to taste, about 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice and 1/2 teaspoon cloves per gallon of thickened pulp is noted.
Quarter apples and add 1/2 as much water or apple cider (or half water and half cider) as fruit. Cook the fruit until soft, put fruit through a colander/food mill to remove peels and seeds and all fibers. Measure pulp and make in 4 cup batches, use 1/2 cup of sugar to every 1 cup of pulp for butter.
Place in a large saucepan with the sugar and cook over low heat, bring to a boil and cook until thick, stirring often to prevent scorching. When butter is thick enough to mound on a spoon, pack while still hot into sterilized (hot) 1/2 pint jelly jars or pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove jars and allow to cool naturally and upright, cool to room temperature and store.