I had never made applesauce or canned anything, but I was excited to try this recipe—not only because it is so easy with just three ingredients, but because I know how much it means to my sister-in-law Mindy.
This family dish comes from Mindy’s Aunt Barb who learned the art of canning from her own grandmother who canned everything from watermelon pickles, applesauce and jellies to peaches, pears and dill pickles.
Barb has been making and canning her homemade applesauce for years. She frequently shares jars of it with others, including Mindy’s youngest son (and my adorable nephew), Isaak, who can’t get enough.
Mindy recently took Barb up on a offer to make the applesauce together and, inspired by my blog, she documented their cooking session. I am so glad she did!
If you ask me, there is nothing better than spending time in the kitchen with loved ones bringing a family-favorite dish to life and learning how to make it in the company of “the keeper” of the recipe. There are often special techniques or an extra pinch of this or that cannot be conveyed on a recipe card. Or, God forbid, there is no written recipe!
Either way, I am so happy that Mindy and Barb shared their recipe for homemade applesauce, particularly the play-by-play for canning which, honestly, has always kind of intimated me. Plus, I love that their joint cooking session preserved so much more than their awesome applesauce—it created a lasting memory of time together passing down a cherished family recipe.
“I love this recipe because it is kind of chunky and homemade—every batch turns out a little bit different based on the apples used,” said Mindy.
