Applesauce for the Freezer

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 pounds apples – peeled, cored, and quartered
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar, or less to taste
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, or more to taste
• 1 (3 inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 4 strips lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Stir apples, water, brown sugar, white sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, lemon zest, and salt together in a large pot. Place a cover on the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the apples are soft, 20 to 30 minutes.

Remove pot from heat. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and lemon zest strips. Mash apples with a potato masher.