Apple sauce

Commercially processed apple sauce

A chunky German apple sauce

Apple sauce or applesauce is a purée made of apples. It can be made with peeled and/or unpeeled apples and a variety of spices (commonly cinnamon and allspice). Flavorings or sweeteners such as sugar or honey are also commonly added. Apple sauce is inexpensive and is widely used in the United Kingdom, North America and some European countries.^[1]

It has been suggested that it can substitute for fat (e.g. butter/oil) in baking.^[2][3][4]

Commercial versions of apple sauce are readily available in supermarkets. It may be packaged in several ways, including: glass jars, tins, or plastic tubs. It is also sold in serving-size small plastic cups.

Preparation

Making apple sauce

Apple sauce is made by cooking down apples with water or apple cider (fresh apple juice) to the required level. More acidic apples will render a finer purée; the highly acidic Bramley apple is popular for creating a very fine purée. Apples might or might not be peeled; sugar, spices, or lemon juice might also be added for flavoring. Apple butter is similar to apple sauce, but has a high cider to apple ratio, of 8 liters to 100 kilograms.^[5]

Use and availability

Apple sauce was once a food prepared for winter, since it keeps well.^[6] It is often an accompaniment to a main course. Swedes and the English, for instance, usually eat apple sauce as a condiment for roast pork. In Germany it accompanies potato pancakes. In the Netherlands, people often eat it with their fries; It is also a popular accompaniment in the United States and is sometimes served as a dessert there as well, alone or used in making apple sauce cake.^[7] In France where it is referred to as compote, it is mostly viewed as a dessert and served at room temperature, with the notable exception of boudin aux pommes (dark blood sausage with apple sauce). In Portugal as well, maçã cozida (cooked apple) is solely viewed as a dessert.

It has been suggested that it can substitute for fat (e.g. butter/oil) in baking.^[8][9][10]

Diarrhea remedy

Since it is high in pectin (more of which can be added during the cooking process), apple sauce is a homemade remedy to combat diarrhea.^[11]

See also

• Applesauce cake

References

1. Palmatier, Robert Allen (2000). Food: a dictionary of literal and nonliteral terms. Greenwood. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-313-31436-0.
2. David Tao (13 November 2012). "Healthier Ways to Bake Without Butter or Oil". Greatist. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
3. "Baking Alternatives - Reducing Fat in Your Favorite Baked Goods Recipes". Wilton Blog - Ideas from Wilton. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
4. "HowStuffWorks "Ultimate Guide to Low-fat Baking"". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
5. Rosenstein, Mark (1999). In Praise of Apples: A Harvest of History, Horticulture & Recipes. Lark Books. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-57990-124-0. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
6. Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell (1839). The good housekeeper: or, The way to live well and to be well while we live : containing directions for choosing and preparing food, in regard to health, economy and taste. Weeks, Jordan. p. 79. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
7. "Applesauce Cake, Source: U.S. Department of Defence". Theodora's Recipies(sic). Retrieved March 2014.
8. David Tao (13 November 2012). "Healthier Ways to Bake Without Butter or Oil". Greatist. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
9. "Baking Alternatives - Reducing Fat in Your Favorite Baked Goods Recipes". Wilton Blog - Ideas from Wilton. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
10. "HowStuffWorks "Ultimate Guide to Low-fat Baking"". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
11. Graedon, Joe; Teresa Graedon (2002). The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies. Macmillan. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-312-98139-6. Retrieved 11 January 2011.