Christine’s Apple Pie Filling
Canned apple pie filling: the ultimate last-minute dessert for unexpected company or chilly winter evenings when you’d rather be sitting beside the woodstove than slaving on pies in the kitchen. If you’d rather, you can freeze this pie filling in quart freezer bags. Enjoy.
4 – 6 quarts peeled and sliced firm apples, like Winesap, Rome, Ida Red or Jonathan (reserved)
4 1/2 cups sugar or rapadura
1 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder
4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg
3 tablespoons lemon juice
10 cups water
In a large pot, cook all the ingredients, except the apples, until thick and bubbly, stirring often. Remove from heat.
Add as many apples to the sugar sauce as you can, keeping the mixture plenty juicy.
Place the apples into prepared quart jars and process 25 minutes in a hot water bath. Makes 4 – 6 quarts.