Making Apple Butter

Every year in the fall when the leaves start to turn we head to North Carolina to get Apples! Its been a family tradition for many years. For the past couple of years we
have bought our apples from "The Orchard At Altapass". Its in Spruce Pine,North
Carolina. The orchard is terraced on the side of a mountain.

You can pick your own apples or pick from many varieties of apples already picked.
We always pick a soft apple for making "apple butter"! Rome apples are a great choice because they are soft and sweet!

APPLE BUTTER

1 PECK OF ROME APPLES

4 CUPS OF SUGAR

2 CUPS OF WATER

2 TABLESPOONS OF CINNAMON

3 TEASPOONS OF NUTMEG

2 TEASPOONS OF ALLSPICE

1 TEASPOON OF GROUND CLOVES

24  FOUR OZ CANNING JARS

STEP ONE: Peel, slice, core all the apples and place in a large stock pot. Add water then all the other ingredients. Place on stove and cook for about 45 minutes over medium heat. Stirring frequently.



Cook mixture until soft enough to mash. Just like mashed potatoes!

SECOND STEP: When apples have cooked down use a hand held blender to blend mixture until smooth. You can also use a hand held mixer but it takes longer to make smooth. You want to blend until it has a very creamy texture!

Cook the mixture for another 2 hours. Make sure to stir about every 10 minutes! This is very important! Stir! Stir! Stir!

My Dad was a great help with the stirring!

THIRD STEP: While the apples are cooking for 2 hours its a good time to prepare your canning jars. Make sure you wash the jars and lids thoroughly in Hot water!
Use a large canning pot to boil the jars. Boil for about 10 minutes. You can dip the rings and seals in the hot water after you remove the jars. Place the clean jars on a
towel so they will be ready to fill. I purchased a Ball canning utensil set that had all
everything I needed. Its was a little over $5 at Wal-mart.

FOURTH STEP: When mixture is dark and thick it is ready to put in the jars.
You may have to blend again if the mixture is not smooth and creamy. There should be no liquid left in the mixture! My Dad stirred my so much I didn't have to blend again!
When you dip your spoon in the mixture it should be thick not watery!

Spoon the apple butter in the jars leaving a 1/2 inch from the top. Wipe any excess apples butter from the rim and place the flat lid on jar. Then place the ring on jar and
tighten just enough to keep water from getting the while processing.

FIFTH STEP: Place jars on rack in canning pot. The water should come to about 1/2 to 1 inch over the top of the jars. Boil  for about 10 minutes.

LAST STEP:  Remove jars from pot using tongs or Jar lifter. Place jars on a towel to cool. You will hear the jars starting to seal when you remove from the water. Let jars cool. Check to see if lids have sealed. Tighten the rings on the jars again.

SHARE AND ENJOY!!!