Apple Pie Filling

By Hklbrries

Note: Clear Jel is not available in most grocery stores. It can be ordered from Sweet Celebrations at [phone], www.sweetc.com or from several other places online.

Note: See "Canning – Yes, We Can" in this collection.

Ingredients

• 6 quarts blanched, sliced, peeled, cored apples
• 5 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups Clear Jel (see note)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 2 1/2 cups cold water
• 5 cups apple juice
• 7 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
• 3/4 cup lemon juice

Preparation

Step 1

Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.

Use firm, crisp apples. Golden Delicious, Rome and other varieties of similar quality are suitable. If apples lack tartness, use an additional 1/4 cup of lemon juice for every 6 quarts of sliced apples.

Wash, peel and core apples. Cut apples into slices 1/2 inch wide. Place in an anti-darkening solution containing 1 teaspoon of ascorbic acid crystals in 1 gallon of water. Or, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for Fruit-Fresh or a similar product.

Remove from anti-darkening solution and drain well. To blanch the fruit, place 6 cups at a time in 1 gallon of boiling water. Boil each batch for 1 minute after the water returns to a boil. Remove fruit from blanch water, but keep the hot fruit in a covered boil or pot while the Clear Jel mixture is prepared.

Combine sugar, Clear Jel, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large saucepot with water, apple juice and food coloring (if using). Stir and cook on medium heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice to the boiling mixture and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Immediately fold in drained apple slices and fill hot jars with hot mixture.

Leave 1-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rims. Adjust lids and process immediately in boiling water bath.

Process pints or quarts for 25 minutes for elevations up to 1,000 feet, 30 minutes for elevations 1,001 to 3,000 feet, and 35 minutes for elevations of 3,001 to 6,000 feet.

Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours.

Note: Clear Jel is a modified food starch that is used for canning. Other starches, such as cornstarch, break down and result in a runny filling. There is no substitute.

Clear Jel is not available in most grocery stores. It can be ordered from Sweet Celebrations at [phone], www.sweetc.com or from several other places online.

Nutrition Information:
Per (4 ounce) servingon
128 calories
Less than 1 gram fat
Less than 1 gram protein
33 grams carbohydrates
0 g cholesterol
1 gram dietary fiber
1 milligram sodium