Apple Picking and Cardamon Applesauce

Today I reluctantly went apple picking with D's nursery school class. I say reluctantly because my intention was not to go but when I found out that every single child in her class had someone coming with them I really had no choice. I was willing to be a bad mommy but I was not willing to be a really bad mommy.

It was hot and sticky in Rockland County today and it did not take that long to fill up a 1/2 peck bag (I actually bought another one to pass more time). D and her best friend T had a great time though. After they were done picking apples they picked some dandelions and other assorted "flowers". Then we had a picnic and we were thankfully back on the bus before we knew it.

Well now that I had these apple I needed to make something with them. I decided that I was going to make applesauce. One of the things I love the fall are new crop apples but I am not an applesauce lover. I have, however, always felt like I had just not found the right recipe. Well guess what? I did today! I was scrolling through the recipes for applesauce on Epicurious when I came across a recipe for Cardamon Applesauce. My version uses succanat instead of regular sugar Make sure you wait until it's totally cooled off because when it's warm the cardamon is over powering. When it's room temperature, though, it is just yum. By the way my kids liked this too.

Cardamon Applesauce

2 1/2 pounds of apples peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 pieces. I have used Macouns and Mutsus but I can't imagine this would not work with any all purpose apple.
1/3 cup of sucanut (you can also use regular sugar)
1 cup of water
juice of half a lemon
1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamon

Mix ingrediants together in a good pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until apples are very soft, about 30 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and mash with a fork. Let it cool and serve