Directions: |
Directions:Peel and core apples. This takes the first day. Cut into pieces. We usually do 8 pieces per apple. As you are peeling, you can cook the apples down into applesauce. Reserve some uncooked ones to start the kettle. Early the next morning (6:00 a.m.) we start the kettles. Put a large canning pot of whole apples in the bottom of the kettle to start over the open fire along with 5 gallons water. Make sure to stir constantly. Keep putting the cooked down apples into the kettle. (We usually cook the apples down to applesauce consistency as we are peeling them). You will not be able to put the apples into the kettle all at the same time. As the sauce cooks down you add more of the apples. When the apples first start cooking they will foam up. Be careful not to put too many in the pot at first. If this happens, remove some of the cooked apples to a pot and add when the pot cooks down. Continue to stir the kettle constantly. Never let the stirrer stand still or the apples will stick to the bottom, ruining the batch. When the apples in the kettle resemble a thick applesauce add the sugar mixed with the cinnamon and cinnamon sticks. Do not add all at the same time. Reserve part until the sugar has been stirred into the kettle. Taste after stirring for a while. If you would like sweeter add more sugar and/or cinnamon. Continue to stir the kettle over the open fire until you take a spoonful out, place on a plate and run the back of the spoon through it. If the sauce stays separated and does not weep juice, the apple butter should be ready to put into jars; it will have also turned a rich brown color. Move the kettle off the open fire to stop the cooking. This is a two man job. Insert a rod into the handle and carry off the fire. Someone should continue to stir during this process. Put apple butter into the jars. Wash the rim of the jars and put canning lids and rings onto the jars. We water bath the jars for 15 minutes. Some will seal without water bath. However, we find that it keeps better if we give it the water bath. |
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