Spiced Cranberry Applesauce

Yield: 

6 cups (12 servings)

Ingredients: 

5 large cooking apples (not Red Delicious), peeled, cored, and diced (~1-inch chunks)
1 cup fresh cranberries, rinsed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves*
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice*
2 tablespoons water
~1/2 cup sugar

Instructions: 

1. In a large stock pot, combine the apples, cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and water. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir and continue simmering over low heat, covered, until apples are soft and mushy, and cranberries are all popped (about 20-30 minutes, depending on the kind of apples you used).

2. Remove from heat and stir in sugar to taste. We like at least 1/4 cup of sugar, which makes a tart applesauce, but you can add up to a half cup or even more, depending on your tastes and the kind of apples you used.

3. You now have a chunky homemade applesauce, which you can serve hot/warm or chilled.

To make a smooth applesauce, blend the hot applesauce until smooth and then press through a colander or sieve to remove any remaining bits of cranberry peeling.