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German Applesauce for #SundaySupper

German Applesauce | Magnolia Days

My grandparents were uprooted by the war. Opa was in the military and sent word to my Oma to leave their home immediately. The gates were closing and he did not want the family on the east side of wall. They lost communication with each other for a long time. They were finally reconnected in Regensburg. Post war time was difficult. Opa had to hurry and get land and building materials by a certain date or they would not be able to settle in the city. He managed it and built a home. It is the same place my uncle lives today. Apple trees are on that piece of land. It is because of all of what I’ve written in this post so far and more that I made German Applesauce.

Apple trees are everywhere in Germany. Well, for sure in the southern part. I think most everyone plants at least one on their property. I remember seeing countless trees with apples on the ground all over the countryside when we were there last October. There are so many apples. Along with it comes cooking with them and making dishes such as the very popular apple strudel. Another one, of course, is applesauce.

German Applesauce | Magnolia Days

Why did I make German applesauce? It started with Sunday Supper announcing the theme of Grandparents Day. Deciding what to make was difficult. I only have a two recipes from my grandparents and I’ve already shared them. First is Dad’s Cornbread that my dad learned how to make from his dad. The other is German Potato Salad that my mom learned from her mom. My dad’s mom could not boil water. My mom’s dad passed away when I was little and I do not even know if he cooked at all. So I had to find inspiration from somewhere or something else.

My inspiration came from a cookbook. It is one I found on a trip to Germany over 20 years ago, Bavarian Cooking (Amazon affiliate link). I looked through it and saw a recipe and thought about those apple trees on my family’s land. I wished I could be there now to make it with the apples from those trees.

German Applesauce | Magnolia Days

How is German Applesauce? It is made in an old-fashioned way with only apples and lemon. You simply quarter apples, remove the stems and crowns (leave the cores), and cook them with a half of a lemon in water until they are soft. Then you press the apples through a sieve. The old method takes a little elbow grease. It is worth it because it gives it a wonderful texture. It’s not completely smooth nor is it chunky. Oh, and Germans serve applesauce hot or warm. It is not served cold.

Do you celebrate your grandparents on Grandparents Day? My fellow Sunday Supper tastemakers certainly do. Scroll down to see a list of recipes either from or inspired by their grandparents. Be sure to visit each one to read the story behind the recipe too. Oh, and go to my Crustless Creamy Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake post to read my mom’s story about my family in Germany during and after WWII.

German Applesauce | Magnolia Days
4.38 from 8 votes
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German Applesauce

German Applesauce made the old-fashioned way with apples and a touch of lemon. In Germany, it is traditionally served warm as a side dish.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Author Renee

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds apples your favorite variety
  • 1/2 lemon

Instructions

  1. Wash apples and remove stems and crowns. Do not remove the core. Cut apples into quarters.
  2. Place apples and lemon in a large soup pot. Add about 1 inch of water to the pot.
  3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook until apples are soft, about 25 minutes.
  4. Press apples through a sieve in batches, about 3 apple quarters at a time. Discard skins and seeds.
  5. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

German Applesauce made the old-fashioned way with apples and a touch of lemon. In Germany, it is traditionally served warm as a side dish.

Family recipes hold memories. The stories behind them are what makes them so special. Take a look at these by Sunday Supper tastemakers celebrating their grandparents:

Sweets that are the Sweetest

Savory Meals with Special Memories

5 Tips for Preserving Family Recipes and a Grandparents Day Tribute by Sunday Supper
Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper family on twitter every Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the conversation. To get more great Sunday Supper recipes, visit the Sunday Supper Movement website or check out our Sunday Supper Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Recipe Rating




Ginny

Saturday 8th of June 2019

I will make this recipe from now on. I grew up in a German family and we poured cream over warm applesauce. So good. Also poured it on to warm pudding, any kind of cake and on warm rhubarb sauce. What’s not to like about that!!

Kayle (The Cooking Actress)

Friday 18th of September 2015

I love your grandparents story! So cool that you get to have stories like that--and this applesauce looks like simple perfection!

Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook

Thursday 17th of September 2015

I love the texture of your applesauce - looks like all that effort definitely pays off.

Cynthia L

Monday 14th of September 2015

I love applesauce. I also love your story about your Oma and Opa. My grandparents are from Germany also. My grandfather was in the war and was in a concentration camp for a couple years. I have the only letter he ever wrote my Oma.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

Monday 14th of September 2015

Sounds delicious, and I do so love grandparent stories, Renee!