Cider Apple Butter

Name: Cider Apple Butter
Yield: makes four to five 8-ounce jars
Ingredients: 3 pounds, 6 ounces cooking apples; 2 1/2 cups dry or medium cider; Granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

January 24, 2012

Season: September to November. Autumn is the season for apples. For centuries, the apple crop has been important, and the apple tree cherished and celebrated for its fruit. Wassailing is an English West Country tradition when, on Twelfth Night of old (January 17), country folk toast and drink to the health of the largest and most prolific apple tree in the orchard for a healthy, fruitful crop the coming season. The sharp and bittersweet qualities of cider give this old-fashioned apple butter a special flavor. It’s a sensational fruity spread to daub over hot buttered toast or crumpets.

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