Sugar Free Strawberry Apple Sauce

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Applesauce is easy to make and is super kid-friendly. Add more flavor by mixing in other fruits like this Sugar Free Strawberry Apple Sauce.

Sometimes I forget what the real world is like. I mean, I live in California, SOUTHERN California. I am blessed to have farmer’s markets and CSA’s nearby and every possible produce imaginable within my reach.

I live in one of trendiest food regions in the U.S. So, living in my bubble, I forget that not everyone has access to quinoa, rainbow chard or pomegranates like I do.

The good news is that this totally changing. I was thrilled to learn from my PMA Fresh Summit visit that our country is trending toward more and more fresh produce. The produce department in grocery stores is growing. YEAH!

And not only are consumers buying more fresh produce, they are also buying more local fresh produce. DOUBLE YEAH!

Of course, that means California is competing with New Jersey farmers for New Jersey’s customers. But, from my perspective, eating more fresh produce is a fabulous trend for all of us to be proud.

And while our produce farmers, distributors and vendors may not completely understand food bloggers and social media, I think we can give ourselves a pat on the back for helping push the Fresh Produce Movement.

Quite frankly, the internet has done wonders for my foodie education and my culinary skills. I’m more adventurous and more aware about what I make and what I feed my family. And I see this all over the internet, too, on other blogs and on friend’s Facebook posts.

My kids have tried more varieties of fruit and vegetables than I ever ate when I was a kid growing up in Houston. Not that I’m bashing Houston. Or my mom! It was the sign of the times, thirty some-odd years ago.

Now when my parents come to California to visit, I usually introduce at least one new food item to them. And luckily for them, they can find it in Houston. WOW! Great trend, America!

Keep it up!

What does this have to do with applesauce?

Well, when I grew up there was only one kind of applesauce found and it had sugar. Now, you can find other brands and varieties: sugar-free, all natural, organic and fruit blends.

No longer do you have to buy a a giant jar or mini plastic cups. You can suck it up in a pouch, not even needing a spoon.

But, no matter organic or sugar free brand I get, my kids prefer homemade applesauce. And my kids never cared for the stuff as kids. I owe the great conversion to my friend, Karin, who has an apple tree in her backyard and gives us jars of delicious homemade applesauce every year.

And with the last of my sweet heirloom apples from Frieda’s Produce, I decided to make my own fruit fusion applesauce at home.

It is ridiculously easy to make and even more ridiculously easier to eat. My daughter licks her bowl clean. Ok, it’s not strawberry season and I did use frozen strawberries, which can be just as nutritious as fresh. A little fusion of summer and fall in a jar.

And, I was able to can some to give as gifts this December. But I suspect my kids will break into them beforehand!

Sugar-Free Applesauce with Strawberries

Author:

Laura Bashar

Kids will love this wonderful blend of apples and strawberries. Recipe by Laura Bashar of Family Spice

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb apples
• 3/4 lb strawberries, frozen

Directions:

1. Core, peel and chop:
• 1 1/2 lb apples
2. Place apple pieces into a pot along with:
• 3/4 lb strawberries , frozen
3. Cover pot and cook over low heat until fruit is completely cooked and soft.
4. Using an immersion blender, blend fruit until smooth.
5. If you are going to store in the refrigerator, cool until room temperature first then transfer to an airtight container. Or, if you are canning your applesauce, click here for canning instructions.

Notes:

Cooking Tips: For more flavor add a star of anise or a cinnamon stick during the cooking process. Remove prior to puréeing.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Yield: 8 servings

Cook Time: 3 hours

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