Homemade Applesauce

Ingredients

• 2 large navel oranges, zested and juiced
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 3 pounds Granny Smith apples (about 6 to 8 apples)
• 3 pounds sweet red apples, such as Macoun, McIntosh, or Winesap (about 6 to 8 apples)
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the zest and juice of the oranges and lemon in a large bowl. Peel, quarter, and core the apples (reserving the peel of 2 of the red apples) and toss them in the juice. Pour the apples, reserved apple peel, and juice into a nonreactive Dutch oven or enameled iron pot. Add the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and allspice and cover the pot. Bake for 1 hour, or until all the apples are soft. Remove and discard the red apple peel. Mix with a whisk until smooth, and serve warm or at room temperature.