Preparing food with your child provides opportunities for learning basic math and cooking skills such as measuring, comparison and mixing – not to mention being just plain fun!With the variety of tasty apples available in our area, celebrate the abundance of the season by creating delicious homemade applesauce!

6 tart apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks

½ cup flour

juice of half a lemon

½ cup water

¼ cup sugar1 tsp. cinnamon

¼ cup raisins (optional)

Place the apples in a large non-reactive saucepan and add the lemon juice and water. Stir in the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes or until the apples are soft.
Remove from heat and add the cinnamon and raisins, if desired.

Stir lightly for a chunky sauce and vigorously for a smooth sauce.

To create pink applesauce, leave the skins on red apples while cooking. Once the applesauce is soft skins are easily removed with a fork or slotted spoon.

Makes 2 ½ cups.