Earlier in the week I drove by the house at the end of the street which
has been empty and in foreclosure for more than a month. I noticed
that there was an apple tree absolutely groaning under unpicked fruit.

Yesterday afternoon I walked over with a basket, tasted one of the
apples, and filled the basket. They weren't perfect, many had worm
holes or bruises where they were resting against a branch. The original
owner took good care of the yard, recent ones have not.

Got home and began to chop, cutting out any signs of damage. Put the
cut fruit in two large kettles with a little water and began to simmer.
As I checked the process I was surprised to see how little the apples
were softening or cooking down. Must be a variety more suited to eating
out of hand or making pie.

These apples were greenish, some slightly yellow, some with a red blush.
They are very crisp, sweet with some tartness. I am thinking perhaps
Golden Delicious? It took a couple of hours on very low heat to get
them ready to strain.

Went to the garage cabinet to find late Mother-in-law's china cap
strainer and found, also...tadaaaa! An All-Clad food mill I had found
in the sale aisle at TJMaxx for $19.99 about 18 months ago, original
price $119. No box, no instructions, but in perfect condition.

Once I figured out I had the screen in upside down and corrected it, it
went well and quickly. It produced 4 full pints of applesauce. The
flavor is OK, quite sweet but lacking a bit of tartness that would have
made it wonderful. Worth the effort.

gloria p