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    Home Β» Ginger Applesauce From my Mom

    Ginger Applesauce From my Mom

    Sep 12, 2022 Β· by Valentina Β· 27 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Ginger Applesauce  from my mom is truly special. It's loaded with delicious chunks of tart apples, a kick of heat from fresh ginger, and the perfect amount of sweetness and love.Bright red bowl full of chunky ginger applesauce with a wood spoon surrounded by a whole green and red apple.

    Among other delicious creations, my mom made the best applesauce around.

    It's the only one my kids have ever devoured, and my cousin used to get upset if my mom didn't give her more jars than the rest of us.

    My mom's delicious ginger applesauce is chunky and sweet with a bit of a kick from fresh ginger.

    Ingredients for Ginger Applesauce


    • apples - Choose firm apples without bruising. My mom used mostly Granny Smith and would sometimes add a couple Red Delicious or Fujis -- so I do the same.
    • fresh ginger - Fresh ginger root should be firm and feel heavy for their size.
    • water
    • granulated sugar

    How to Make it


    Several peeled appled with red and green skins throughout on dark wood cutting board.

    (More detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.)

    - Add the water and sugar to a large pot and mix.

    - Peel, core, and cut the apples into thick slices.Half of a green apple with a paring knife slicing the stem off.Pro tip: Rather than an apple corer, use a melon baller to remove the seeds and a paring knife to make a "v" at each end to remove the stem and remaining root.

    - Add the apple slices to the pot with the water and sugar and combine.Large pot full of large slices of peeld apples.- Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes to steam the apples.

 Remove the lid and use a large fork or spoon begin to break the apples into smaller chunks.Large pot full of large chunks of peeld apples.- Keep at a simmer, cover, but this time keep the lid askew so that some air is getting in. Continue to cook until they're very soft, about 30 minutes. Continue to stir and break the apple chunks into smaller pieces periodically.

    - Add fresh ginger pulp to the applesauce. Mix to blend.Large pot with chunky applesauce.- Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before refrigerating it.

    Serving Suggestions


    • It's delicious served with pork. Rosemary Garlic Crusted Pork Chops are perfect with it.
    • It can make for a great breakfast -- it's excellent with granola mixed into it.
    • Warm a bit of the applesauce and spoon it over vanilla bean ice cream, and it's a delicious dessert!
    • And of course, all you really need is a spoon.

    What are the best apples for applesauce?


    • Softer apple varieties are typically -- but not always -- used for applesauce because they cook down fairly quickly compared to more firm apples. (Examples are Golden or Red Delicious, Braeburn, Liberty and McIntosh.)
    • This ginger applesauce recipe calls for Granny Smith and Fuji apples -- these varieties are crisp and perfect for a chunkier applesauce like this one. Granny Smiths are quite tart, while the Fujis are sweeter. I love their flavors and textures together, but you can use any apples you like.
    • We usually see cinnamon in applesauce. My mom's recipe doesn't include it -- if you want to, try a few pinches, but not too much because we want the ginger stand out.

    Recipe Tips and Substitutions


    • This is a chunky applesauce, so be careful when you're breaking down the apples that you keep them in larger pieces. That said, of course if you prefer a smoother applesauce, break them down further. And for a super smooth version, put it in a blender when it's done cooking and purΓ©e.
    • A microplane zester is the best thing to use to grate the ginger into pulp, or you can cut it into chunks and use a mini food processor -- my Mom does this.

    Fresh ginger root and grated giner on a dark wood cutting board.

    How long does applesauce keep?


    Refrigerator: In an airtight container, ginger applesauce will keep for about ten days in the refrigerator.

    Freezer: It can be frozen in an airtight container for a few months. (Here's a great guide for freezing applesauce.)

    Whether you refrigerate it or freeze it, be sure it's completely cooled to room temperature first.


    Below is where my mom cooked all of her one-of-a-kind recipes -- in the most beautiful kitchen that she designed, down to where each tile sun flower would be placed. My dad still cooks here all the time. A beautiful kitchen with old fashioned and modern appliances.Its full of gorgeous antiques, including my grandmother's stove. And have you ever seen such a cool sink? My dad even designed a foot petal to turn the water on and off.

    Two pictures - one of a sink with beveled glass windows about it and the other of old-fashioned kitche tools hanging on a stainless steel fridge.My mom collected antiques for most of her life. She found the windows above the sink at a house that was being demolished -- at least thirty years before she designed the kitchen. She waited until she had the perfect place before using anything. And she stored most of her kitchen tools on the side of the refrigerator.

    Close up of Ginger Applesauce in a bright red bowl with a wooden spoon.

    Enjoy every last bite of my mom's Ginger Applesauce recipe. Hope you love it as much as my family and I do!

    More apple recipes:

    • Chai Apple Bundt Cake
    • Apple Bacon Roasted Chicken
    • Chicken Apple Salad with Cranberries
    • Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese Melt
    • Red Wine Poached Crimson Gold Apples
    Bright red bowl full of chunky ginger applesauce with a wood spoon surrounded by a whole green and red apple.

    Ginger Applesauce Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    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 5 cups
    5 from 2 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 153 kcal

    Equipment

    • vegetable peeler
    • melon baller to core and remove seeds from the apples
    • microplane zester

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 pounds apples (Granny Smith and Red Delicious or Fuji)
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger pulp

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare the apples. Add the water and sugar to a large pot (that will hold all of the apples) and mix.
      Peel, core, and cut the apples into eighths. (You should have about 12Β½ cups of apple slices.) Place them directly into the pot as you go.
    • Cook. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer. Keep the pot covered for about 15 minutes to steam the apples.
      Remove the lid and use a wooden fork to begin to break the apples into smaller chunks.
      Keep the heat at a simmer, cover, but this time keep the lid askew so that some air is getting in. Continue to cook the apples until they are very soft, about 30 minutes. As they cook, continue to stir and break the apple chunks into smaller pieces periodically. The lid can come off for the last 5 minutes. (This is a chunky applesauce, so don't break them down too much -- just into small bite-sized pieces.)
    • Add the ginger. Add the fresh ginger pulp to the applesauce once it's finished cooking. (A microplane zester is the best thing to use 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 while it's still hot.
    • Cool. Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before refrigerating it.
    Keywords fall comfort food recipes
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lana

      March 30, 2012 at 4:26 pm

      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

      Reply
    2. Mary Jo

      March 30, 2012 at 4:34 pm

      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.

      Reply
    3. Dorothy at Shockinglydelicious

      March 30, 2012 at 4:41 pm

      What a stunning kitchen! And great recipe, too!

      Reply
    4. sandy miller

      March 30, 2012 at 10:04 pm

      Valentina,
      Your mother does make the best apple sauce in the whole world. I love her kitchen and her sense of style.
      Love,
      Sandy

      Reply
    5. Marina

      March 30, 2012 at 3:41 pm

      What a lovely post! yes, your mom's kitchen is beautiful, I love the stove... It says Home to me...

      Reply
    6. Linda

      March 30, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      Valentina, Years ago we were in LA visiting Roberta and Bob and had dinner at your parents'. Your photos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    7. Roberta Stone

      March 31, 2012 at 12:18 am

      Delicious applesauce, beautiful kitchen, loving and talented mom. A combination that cannot be beat.

      Reply
    8. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes

      March 31, 2012 at 12:26 pm

      I want to go bake in your motherΒ΄s kitchen, and use your grandmotherΒ΄s stove. Every detail is incredible! I bet her applesauce is perfect too.

      Reply
    9. Vivian Hollander

      March 31, 2012 at 10:19 pm

      I just cooked apples today and I'm sorry I didn't have this recipe. I'll have to try it the next time.

      Reply
    10. Ilke

      April 03, 2012 at 11:19 am

      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 πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 05, 2012 at 5:16 pm

        Thank you Ilke!

        Reply
    11. Sandy

      April 21, 2015 at 11:46 am

      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

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 21, 2015 at 11:38 pm

        Awww, Sandy, thank you so much. XOXOXO

        Reply
    12. Laura@Familyspice

      April 21, 2015 at 3:08 pm

      Love this post! And I love how creative your parents are. That kitchen IS gorgeous!

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 21, 2015 at 11:39 pm

        Thanks so much, Laura! I can't help but show off for them sometimes. πŸ˜‰

        Reply
    13. Liz Schmitt

      April 21, 2015 at 3:10 pm

      A lovely post - would love to visit your Mom's kitchen!

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 21, 2015 at 11:40 pm

        Thanks, Liz. Let me know when you're around and I'd happily take you for a visit. πŸ˜€ The whole house is as cool as the kitchen!

        Reply
    14. angiesrecipes

      September 12, 2022 at 8:07 pm

      What a beautiful and functioning kitchen! I love that sink, really cool. I love to add ginger to the applesauce too.
      angiesrecipes

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 12, 2022 at 8:09 pm

        Thanks so much, Angie. πŸ˜€ ~Valentina

        Reply
    15. Kelly | Foodtasia

      September 13, 2022 at 12:35 pm

      Such a wonderful applesauce! Love the addition of ginger!

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 18, 2022 at 2:04 pm

        Thanks so much, Kelly. Enjoy! πŸ™‚ ~Valentina

        Reply
    16. Dawn

      September 14, 2022 at 4:36 am

      Recipes like this are the best!! I love how so few ingredients they are (but what's there is super flavourful). As soon as I read the recipe title, I thought this would pair lovely with pork chops (and see you mentioned those here). This is a must try for sure!!

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 18, 2022 at 1:56 pm

        Thanks, Dawn. I hope you love it. And yes, soooo delicious with pork of all sorts. πŸ™‚ ~Valentina

        Reply
    17. Roberta Stone

      September 17, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      Me too. Loved it for years. The best applesauce ever. And thank you for the tour of your mom's kitchen!

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 18, 2022 at 1:49 pm

        Awww. This makes me happy. She was so amazing in all ways! Thank you. xoxo

        Reply
    18. Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!

      October 15, 2022 at 7:48 am

      I've never heard of ginger applesauce, and now I can't wait to try some. But hey, that kitchen! How amazing! What are those cupboards (or whatever) to the left of the stove?

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 17, 2022 at 5:29 pm

        Hi Jeff! Those are dishwasher drawers (Fisher & Paykel). They were very handy when my parents used to entertain because you could fill both at once -- and they're very deep. Now just for my dad, he only uses the top one and it acts more like a drainer for clean dishes. πŸ™‚ Thanks for checking it out, and I hope you try the applesauce! ~Valentina

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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