An Apple a Day

Fall is the perfect time to harvest some apples and make a few treats to put away for September. I am lucky enough to have parents with an apple tree that is ripe for the picking (or picking up off the ground before Arnie the woodchuck eats them all). If you have a tree, or know someone who does, it's a perfect way to get some fresh produce at a very low cost. I borrowed a food strainer that made it EASY to make homemade applesauce. Just wash, cut in quarters, cook in pot, run through strainer. (No peeling or coring). The seeds, peel and stem just come out the tumbler. I added a little sugar and cinnamon and love the homemade taste (and LOW cost).

Investment: Almost nothing for me since I got free apples. Ask around if anyone has a tree that they'd be willing to trade some produce for. May not be cost effective if you have to buy from the grocery store, but "pick your own" from the local orchard could be worth it.

Instead of: Buying applesauce in single-serve cups or jars

Savings: Buying in the jar cost about $0.30 per cup, and I made about 25 cups, so $7.50.

Bonus: Tastes great, freezes well, and can be used in recipes (freeze without sugar or cinnamon) or eaten plain. If you have access to a "free tree" you can also chop apples to use in recipes or wrap in newspaper and store in a cool place to save for eating whole. Be sure to check out my favorite Apple Scotch Crisp recipe.