Apples! Because it's fall. (Okay, officially TOMORROW it's fall. But the leaves are turning. It sometimes gets chilly at night. And the apples are appearing in the markets in piles of crimson crunchiness! That's fall, right?)

I love eating apples straight.

And I love applesauce. I forget how easy it is to make your own, even if the peeling is finicky.*

(got a food mill? Leave the skins on and use that instead!)

APPLESAUCE

• 16 apples, a mixed variety is fine
• 1/4 c sugar (optional)
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup water
• pinch of salt 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1. Peel (optional) and core the apples. Cut into even chunks
2. Put apples and the rest of the ingredients into a saucepan large enough to hold them all comfortably.
3. Cook apples until well cooked and easily mashed with a spoon.
4. Blend in a food processor, with an immersion blender, or with a food mill. Or, if you like it chunky, just go at it with a potato masher!