wild for life

Apple Butter is an old fashioned alternative to Jam or Chutney.  Not as sweet as a regular jam due to its low sugar content, it can cross meal boundaries and is delicious in cakes, on bread or with cheese and meats.  It is a great way of using up windfall apples that look a little too battered for the fruit bowl. It is also a simple and easy recipe to do with children and they'll adore the results.

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ingredients

• 1kg/2lb 4oz cooking apples, plus a few extra if using windfalls, no need to peel or core

• 500ml/18fl oz cider (or 100ml/3½fl oz elderflower cordial mixed with 400ml/14fl oz water.

• 400–500g/14oz–1lb 2oz granulated sugar

• ½ tsp ground cloves

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

 

method

1. If using windfall apples, cut away any damaged or bruised bits, ensuring there are 1kg/2lb 4oz cooking apples at the end. Rinse and roughly chop the apples into chunks. Place in a large saucepan with the cider and cook gently until soft and fluffy. Remove from the heat.

2. Push the apple mixture through a large sieve into a bowl. Weigh the fruit purée and place in a clean saucepan, adding 400–450g/14–15oz sugar to 1 litre/1¾ pint fruit purée. Add the cloves and cinnamon. Slowly bring to the boil over a low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring frequently until the mixture begins to thicken.

3. Remove from the heat and pour into sterilised jars. Seal immediately with the lids. Keep in the fridge once opened and use within 3–4 weeks.

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