Apple Jam

We love going to farms to pick apples in the fall. It’s always a little adventure: walking through the apple orchard, trying different varieties, and, of course, coming home with far more apples than we planned to pick. With all those freshly picked apples, I always want to make something homemade, and apple butter is one of my favorite options. It turns out thick and smooth, with a rich apple flavor 

Ingredients

• 1 kg apples

• 3 cups sugar (750 g)

• 1/2 cup water (120 ml)

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• A pinch of yellow food coloring (optional)

Steps

1. Peel the apples and cut them into thin slices

2. Place the apples in a pot or skillet

3. Add the water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften

4. Purée the cooked apples in a blender, then return the mixture to the pot

5. Add the sugar and cook for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened

6. Add the lemon juice and food coloring, if desired

7. The apple butter will thicken as it cools

8. Store in glass jars in the refrigerator