Hanukkah Apple Butter

Hanukkah Apple Butter

Occurring for a full week in late December, Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the finding of the oil. Latkes, potato pancakes, are traditional. You can certainly make your own or buy the frozen potato variety and serve them with your own homemade apple butter. The aroma of the bubbling applesauce will fill your home with a holiday tang.

Apple Butter
3 pounds apples, cored, quartered, sliced
1 cup apple cider or apple juice
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon each: ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger

Put apples in a heavy saucepan, cover with cider and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then simmer, stirring gently until apples all apart. Work apples and juices through a food mill or strainer and put this apple puree into another heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, add sugars and spices and cook very slowly 1 and 1/2 -2 hours, stirring frequently so it doesn't burn or scorch. Cool and correct the seasonings. Pour into jars. If you add thin red and green ribbons this can be an attractive gift, too.