Crock Pot Applesauce

I love homemade applesauce.  In this area, apples can be found in abundance right now.  Strites’ Orchard is even having an apple festival today.  You can enjoy fresh pressed cider and even pick your own apples.  They have Jonathan, Gala, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, McCoun, McIntosh, and Honeycrisp apples just to name a few.  So in honor of all the apple varieties available, I am making applesauce in the crock pot.

Making applesauce in the crock pot is extremely easy and makes the house smell amazing.  I do not add any sugar, but if they do not turn out as sweet as I like, I may add honey afterwards.  Another great thing about applesauce is that after it has finished cooking and cooled, it can easily be stored in the freezer.  Just transfer it to a freezer bag or container and that’s it!  Thaw it at room temperature or heat it up on the stove for warm applesauce.  My grandmother used to make applesauce on the stove all the time, but with the amount of stirring and mashing involved, making it in the crock pot is so much easier!

• Servings: 4-6
• Time: 8hr 30mins
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Ingredients

• 6 apples
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

1. Chop the apples and remove the stems and core.  Place them in the crock pot
2. Pour in the water and lemon juice.  Top with the cinnamon.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.  Stir and enjoy!

 

Sweet Corn Festival at Strite’s Orchard

On Saturday, July 9^th, Strite’s Orchard held a Sweet Corn Festival.  There were a lot of activities for kids such as face painting and a hay ride.  They had food from Official BBQ and Burgers which is a handmade BBQ joint in Harrisburg (try the pulled pork sandwiches and fries, you will not be disappointed).  Strite’s also had the grand opening of their Hershey’s Ice Cream Shack. 

I went with my sister and we walked up to where you can pick your own blueberries and raspberries before heading back down to the market.  It was busy and very hot and humid, so we did not stay too long.  My sister worked at Strite’s before going away to college and we chatted with her old co-workers.  One asked me how the CSA was going and I told her it was great.  I did admit that I gave my leftover kale to my co-worker’s bearded dragon and she joked that she would add that to next week’s newsletter.

I would have liked to try the fried corn, but my sister had plans to visit friends and we had to go.  On the way out, we stopped for an ice cream cone.  I had a cone of what was called Playdough.  It’s like the classic cookie dough ice cream except it was bright yellow and the chunks of cookie dough were blue or pink.  It was probably not the healthiest choice, but it was fun to try. 

Local festivals are always fun and if there are any in your area, please go and support local businesses.  You might discover something new.