Did you know that applesauce can be used as a homemade remedy to combat diarrhea, due to its high pectin content?

There is a very well known expression that says: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Indeed, apples are rich in a number of antioxidants, flavanoids, and dietary fiber. The health benefits of apples include improved digestion, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer! Many of these health benefits are due to pectin, one of the key nutrients found in apples.

I was born and raised in a city famous for its apples. I remember that some of the apples were so big that I had to hold one with both hands…This being said, I still look forward to tasting as many varieties as possible and with more than 7,500 apple cultivars available in the world I still have a long way to go!

For cooking, I usually combine sweet apples with tart ones or add a bit of acidity to the sweet ones, by means of adding some lemon/orange juice or an apple cider vinegar. And there is a science behind it: acid helps to draw even more pectin out of fruit when it is heated. Besides, pectin is concentrated in the pulp and zest of all citrus fruits. As you can see, there is no reason not to make your applesauce extra zesty (as outlined in the variations section of the recipe).

Cinnamon-Turmeric Applesauce

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

2 hours

Total time

2 hours 10 mins

 

Special Equipment: Instant Pot

Author: Zesty Paleo

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples,* cored and peeled
• ¾ cup filtered water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

1. Cut the apples into chunks and transfer them into the instant pot.
2. In a small recipient whisk the water with lemon juice, coconut sugar, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, and salt and pour the liquid over the apples.
3. Set the instant pot to “slow-cook” normal function, close the lid and cook for 2 hours.
4. Once the time has elapsed open the lid and allow the apples to cool.
5. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a food processor and process the mixture until the desired consistency is reached.

Notes

* I use apples that cook relatively fast, such as Fuji, McIntosh, Golden Delicious, etc.

Variations: You can use orange juice instead of water and add 1 teaspoon of orange zest and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.

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