• Source: Emeril's Table: Amazing Apples

Homemade Applesauce

Ingredients

• 5 pounds apples, preferably a mix of tart and sweet red apples
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 3 to 6 tablespoons granulated or light brown sugar, to taste
• 1/4 cup Calvados or brandy, optional

Instructions

Makes 5 cups

Peel apples, if desired, and remove cores and seeds. Cut each apple into 8 pieces. Core and remove seeds and cut each apple into 8 pieces. Place apples in a large, heavy saucepan along with cider, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and nutmeg. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and cook for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook, covered and stirring frequently, until apples have completely broken down into a thick sauce, about 30 minutes longer. Add sugar to taste and, if desired, add Calvados and cook for 10 minutes longer. Pass applesauce through a food mill or a coarse sieve to remove any remaining skins and solids. Discard solids. Set sauce aside to cool, or enjoy warm.