One of the things I love about Poland is the very fresh fruit and veg. The cities are surrounded by farm land, and so many people grow their own produce in home gardens. Recently, I was the lucky recipient of a huge bag of apples, straight from the tree. Our neighbors were back in their home village for a wedding and brought back apples from her father’s tree. That’s another thing typical of Poland, everyone in the city grew up in a village. OK, there are probably some natives of Poznan, we just haven’t met them yet.
Among other things, I wanted to make apple butter with these apples. I remember my friend Carla making applesauce in a crock-pot and saying that she’d done it without adding sugar. That’s what I wanted to try. Since there are just two of us, I made a small batch. You could certainly make it larger – figure on about 1/2 cup of apple butter for each apple you’re using.
Now, I have an urge to bake bread!
Ingredients
4 apples
3/4 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon vinegar (apple cider vinegar would be ideal, I used red wine)
1 scant tablespoon cinnamon
2 – 3 grates of fresh nutmeg (or a pinch of ground nutmeg)
pinch of salt
Directions
- Quarter and core the apples, leaving the peel on
- Dice in 1-inch cubes
- Add the apples to a crock-pot or saucepan
- Add remaining ingredients, stir
- Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low-low (I did mine overnight)
- Cook for 10 to 12 hours
- Cool, process in blender, food processor, or with immersion blender
- Transfer to sealed containers, will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks
- Since I know nothing about home canning, I’m keeping mine in the freezer for longer shelf life
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com, she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Jenn
This looks good Lois. I’ve never heard of Apple Butter before. It’s funny that it has the word butter but yet has no butter. I’ve been thinking about trying to make jam, now you make you want to do it asap.
Lois B
Jenn – it’s something I remember from my childhood. I think my mom made it once, may have bought a jar once or twice. It wasn’t something that was always around, so it seemed very special!
tralf
Next time I make it I’m going to use your “no sugar” recipe. Sounds delicious.
motherrimmy
My mom used to make apple butter all the time. I love that your version is sugar free.
Lois B
Tralf – just the thing for your homemade bread!
motherrimmy – thanks, my friend who works very closely with a nutritionist has pronounced all of the ingredients “good for you.”
Lois B
Removing spam can be so time consuming!