My Mom’s Ginger Applesauce recipe is truly special. It’s full of chunks of delicious, tart apples, a bit of a kick of fresh ginger, and the perfect amount of sweetness.
My parents have the most gorgeous Wisteria growing in their backyard.
Years ago, a family of little doves lived in this pretty vine. My mom loved going outside everyday to check on their nest and see how they were doing. She was so sweet and nurturing, just like the mama bird.
In addition to baby bird watching, my mom makes the best applesauce around. There’s no question! My six-year-old won’t eat any other kind of applesauce, and my cousin gets upset if my mom visits without bringing a few jars. It’s absolutely divine!
My mom also has the most beautiful kitchen around. It’s full of gorgeous antiques, lots of love — and delicious food, of course!
This was my grandmother’s stove — isn’t it fantastic? It too, is full of love. And do you see all of the beautiful tiles on the walls? Some have sunflower reliefs on them, which my mom designed specifically for each spot where they were placed. Who wouldn’t be inspired to cook here?!
And have you ever seen such a cool sink? My dad even designed a foot petal to turn the water on and off. (So convenient!) And the windows: my Mom has been collecting antiques for most of her life, and she picked these up at a house that was being demolished at least twenty years before she designed the kitchen.
Shouldn’t everyone display their kitchen tools the way my Mom does? I think so!
Making my Mom’s Ginger Applesauce is a delightful weekend cooking project. And in a couple of days I’m sharing my recipe for Rosemary Garlic Crusted Pork Chops, which would be a perfect main course to serve with this applesauce!
My sweet Mom and my applesauce-loving son when he was a baby.
Enjoy every last bite of My Mom’s Ginger Applesauce recipe. Hope you love it as much as my family and I do!
Timeline:
1 hour ahead: Peel, core, and cut the apples, and begin to cook.
This applesauce stores very well for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
My Mom's Ginger Applesauce recipe is truly special. It's full of chunks of delicious, tart apples, a bit of a kick of fresh ginger, and the perfect amount of sweetness.
Makes about 7 cups
- 4 large Granny Smith apples
- 4 large Red Delicious apples
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger pulp
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Peel, core, and cut the apples into eights. Place them directly into a large enough pot to hold the apples with a good few inches above them.
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Pour the water and sugar over the apples, mix, and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and turn the heat to a simmer. Keep the pot covered for about 10 minutes to steam the apples.
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Remove the lid and use a wooden fork to begin to break the apples into smaller chunks.
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Keep the heat at a simmer, and continue to cook the apples until they are very soft, about 40 minutes. As they cook, continue to stir and break the apple chunks into smaller pieces periodically. This is a chunky applesauce, so don't break them down too much -- just into small bite-sized pieces.
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Add the fresh ginger pulp to the applesauce once it's finished cooking. (You can use a Microplane Zester to grate the ginger into pulp, or you can cut it into chunks and use a mini food processor -- my Mom does this.) Stir to incorporate all of the ginger into the applesauce.
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Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before refrigerating it.
Measurements might vary slightly depending on the size of the apples used.
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
What a lovely post! yes, your mom’s kitchen is beautiful, I love the stove… It says Home to me…
Lana says
Oh, Valentina, your mom’s kitchen is indeed gorgeous! I don’t know what I coveted more:)
I make my kids’ apple sauce all the time, but have never tried adding ginger. What a great little kick it would give!
I hope you have a great weekend:)
XO
Linda says
Valentina, Years ago we were in LA visiting Roberta and Bob and had dinner at your parents’. Your photos are wonderful (and I love the one of your mom). Thanks for sharing.
Mary Jo says
I have been fortunate enough to not only see your mother’s beautiful home and kitchen, but experience a wonderful meal prepared by her. You are indeed a lucky young mother to have such a role model.
Dorothy at Shockinglydelicious says
What a stunning kitchen! And great recipe, too!
sandy miller says
Valentina,
Your mother does make the best apple sauce in the whole world. I love her kitchen and her sense of style.
Love,
Sandy
Roberta Stone says
Delicious applesauce, beautiful kitchen, loving and talented mom. A combination that cannot be beat.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
I want to go bake in your mother´s kitchen, and use your grandmother´s stove. Every detail is incredible! I bet her applesauce is perfect too.
Vivian Hollander says
I just cooked apples today and I’m sorry I didn’t have this recipe. I’ll have to try it the next time.
Ilke says
I adore that kitchen! It takes years, and a good eye for things to build something like this. Definitely not out of a canned “renovation”… Glad you have the recipe, something to hold onto for many years 🙂
valentina says
Thank you Ilke!
Sandy says
We just love your mom’s applesauce. Whenever we cook pork, we just have to make her sauce. Mom is also the most amazing decorator. I just love her house. A remarkable woman. <3
valentina says
Awww, Sandy, thank you so much. XOXOXO
Laura@Familyspice says
Love this post! And I love how creative your parents are. That kitchen IS gorgeous!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Laura! I can’t help but show off for them sometimes. 😉
Liz Schmitt says
A lovely post – would love to visit your Mom’s kitchen!
valentina says
Thanks, Liz. Let me know when you’re around and I’d happily take you for a visit. 😀 The whole house is as cool as the kitchen!