There is nothing better than homemade applesauce with hand-picked
 apples, and it is so easy to do! If you want chunky applesauce, use a
 potato masher to
mash the cooked apples. If you prefer smooth apple sauce, run the
 cooked apples through a food mill. The key is adding a few strips of
 lemon peel to the
apples while cooking. The lemon heightens the apple flavor.

Preparation time: 45 minutes.

3 to 4 lbs of peeled, cored, and quartered apples. We use granny smith,
 fuji, or gravenstein apples, or a combination of all three. (Make sure
 you use a
good cooking apple.)

4 strips of lemon peel - use a vegetable peeler to strip 4 lengths
Juice of one lemon
3 inches of cinnamon stick
1/4 cup of dark brown sugar
up to 1/2 cup of white sugar
1 cup of water
1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 Put all ingredients into a large pot. Cover. Bring to boil. Lower
 heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

2 Remove from heat. Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peels. Mash with
 potato masher.

Ready to serve, either hot or refrigerated. Delicious with vanilla ice
 cream or vanilla yogurt.

Freezes easily, lasts up to one year in a cold freezer.