Amazing applesauce

By A Few of My Favorite Things Katina Holland Special to Your TIMES

Applesauce is a semisolid puree made from apples cooked in water or apple cider. It can be made with or without the peels and may be spiced, sweetened or just plain. More acidic apples, like the Bramley apple, creates a finer puree. So if you don’t want a lot of texture, pay attention to the apples you use! There are more than 7500 varieties of apples so there are plenty to choose from.

Last week’s column “For the Dogs” meant I had a lot of applesauce left over. So, in order to get rid of it, I decided this week’s column would be all about applesauce. I doubled the muffin recipe, but otherwise, it was successful and the applesauce is gone.

1½ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. salt 2 tsps. cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg 1 cup unsweetened applesauce ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs Crumb Topping 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon ½ cup unsalted butter, melted Preheat oven to 425°F. Line muffin pan with liners. In small mixing bowl, combine topping flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix together with fork until crumbly and wet. Set aside. In smaller mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. In separate larger mixing bowl, combine applesauce, brown sugar and vegetable oil. Whisk together. Add eggs and whisk again. Gently mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Using fingers, crumble generous amount of topping on each muffin. Bake at 425°F for 7 minutes. Then, keeping muffins in oven, turn oven down to 350°F and bake 12-14 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow muffins to cool for 10 minutes, then remove from muffin pan to wire rack to cool completely. Recipe adapted from thefirstyearblog.com.

Applesauce boasts an impressive array of essential vitamins that contribute to overall health and well-being. For instance, applesauce is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports the immune system and promotes healthy skin. Applesauce also contains vitamin A, which is beneficial for eye health and helps maintain healthy skin and tissues. In addition to its vitamin content, applesauce is a significant source of potassium, a vital mineral that supports heart health and helps maintain proper hydration. Potassium plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and promoting optimal muscle and nerve function. Applesauce is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients. These are beneficial health compounds that help combat oxidative stress and protect the body against harmful free radicals. The antioxidants found in applesauce, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, have been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Applesauce is said to have been created in the mid 1700’s, but preparing apples in sauces for meals dates back to the medieval times. As with apples themselves, applesauce ranged from sweet to tart, and could accompany many different foods. The word applesauce was first found in a recipe in a cookbook from 1769 and was part of a recipe for duck.

Applesauce is commonly served as a side dish, but is best known as a snack served to children in the U.S. In Sweden and Britain, it is commonly served with roast pork and goose. In British and Spanish cuisine, it is commonly served as pork chops and applesauce. Danish also combine pork with applesauce but combine it while cooking, not just serving. In Netherlands and Belgian cuisine, applesauce is served with French fries for the kids, who use it as a dipping sauce. It can also be used in most baking recipes as a substitute for eggs, just be careful, it will leave an apple flavor to the goods.

Fun Facts:

Apple butter is very similar to applesauce but has a higher sugar content and is cooked longer.

The first American to orbit the Earth, astronaut John Glenn, carried pureed applesauce in squeezable tubes on his initial space flight. Ham with applesauce was also served to Gemini astronauts.

One bushel of apples will make 20-24 quarts of applesauce.

Since it is high in pectin (more of which can be added during the cooking process), applesauce is a homemade remedy to combat diarrhea.

This week’s recipes are easy to make. Not one of them was difficult or took long to put together. Make your grocery list and pick up what ingredients you need from the store. Then, meet me in the kitchen for recipes using this versatile puree.