Velvety apple butter: The perfect fall spread for every dish
Velvety spreads made from seasonal fruits are often called "butters," even though they have little in common with traditional butter. What connects them? They are just as perfect for challah, fresh rolls, toast, or cookies. Fans of fruity flavors will be pleased.
Late fall and winter are a great time for apple preserves. These fruits are now available at favorable prices, and their taste is excellent. It's the perfect time to turn them into jams, preserves, or purees. You can also make delicious "apple butter," which is a very thick puree made from long-simmered apples with added butter. This addition gives it a velvety consistency.
Sweet or spicy
Apples cooked long enough create a thick, velvety mass that can resemble butter. That's why these fruits are perfect for thick spreads. We usually prepare them sweetly, for example, with the addition of cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. Apples can also easily be given a spicy note; just add ginger, paprika, or nutmeg. In this form, they make an ideal accompaniment to meat roasts, such as pork tenderloin.
Apple "butter"
Ingredients:
- 6 1/2 lbs of apples,
- 1/2 cup of sugar, preferably dark,
- 3/4 cup of butter,
- a teaspoon of cinnamon,
- a few cloves,
- grated zest of 1 orange.
Preparation method:
- Wash the apples, peel them, remove the seed cores, and cut them into small pieces.
- In a large pot, melt about 1/4 cup of butter, then add the apples and sugar.
- Simmer everything over low heat for about 2 hours. The apples should break down, creating a smooth, thick mass with a slightly brown color due to the caramelization of the sugar and fruits.
- Near the end of simmering, add the spices and orange zest.
- Add the rest of the butter to the mixture and blend together.
- Transfer into sterilized jars and pasteurize for 12-15 minutes.
