Memories and Home-made Applesauce

The Vaughan Family (Papa is in the middle of the back row)

Papa Vaughan, Apples, Applesauce, and

Apple Bread

It\’s funny how certain things bring back great childhood memories. Every year going to get apples in North Georgia bring thoughts of my Papa and Mima Vaughan. As you read this little story my hope is that it also brings happy memories for you.

My Papa was what people today call a ‘Renaissance Man’. There wasn’t anything he could not do (and didn’t even finish elementary school); a master gardener, fisherman, master carpenter, plumber, and a barber.

But, as a small child I remember one special thing Papa could do and I thought it was magic. He could take an apple and peel it without breaking the peel. He would grab an apple, pull out his pocket knife (which he always carried). Sitting in a lawn chair with a garden bucket between his feet he would peel the apple going round and round until at the end the whole peeling would fall into the garden bucket (today we call it compost). I can’t remember a time when he ever broke the peeling. Then we would sit and eat the apple piece by piece.

Another memory was knowing I could visit my grandparents whenever I wanted; all I had to do is walk the path from my backyard to their backyard. I was lucky that my grandparents lived on the next street. Both in their backyard and mine were apple trees (green apples and crab apples). We would gather them in baskets for canning apple sauce, jelly, and baking apple bread. In honor of my Papa and Mima Vaughan I would like to share these are recipes for you to enjoy.

Homemade Apple Sauce

Ingredients:
3 lbs. of apples (I use golden delicious)
(about 6 to 8 apples)
1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar or 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
(the sugar is optional and to taste)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Core, peel ,and slice the apples.

2. Boil the apples and water in a pot for 15 to 20 minutes until soft. For chunky applesauce mash with a potato masher; for smoother applesauce puree with a food processor.

3. Gradually add cinnamon and sugar to taste. The amount really depends on personal preference and the natural sweetness of the apples used, so add slowly and taste before each addition. Some apples may require no added sugar at all.

(If you would like to make a larger batch of applesauce for canning just triple or quadruple the recipe.

There is nothing more gratifying than going to the pantry and seeing your very own canned applesauce. Well, your very own canned anything really.

Apple Quick Bread

(makes 2 loaves)

*This might possibly be the best apple bread you have ever eaten

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

4 teaspoons of vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups diced peeled tart apples

In a mixing bowl, beat oil, eggs and vanilla. In separate bowl combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, cloves and baking powder; beat the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Stir in the diced apples.

Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center come out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans (this is very important) to wire racks.