Apple Pie Filling

A quart and a pint will make a healthy pie, so we can this in both quarts and pints. This recipe is enough for 5 pies.

Ingredients (5 quarts & 5 pints)

• 6 lbs apples, peeled & sliced, splashed with lemon juice (8 lbs whole)
• 5½ C sugar
• 1½ C Clear Jel
• 2–3 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 2½ C water
• 5 C apple juice
• 1 C lemon juice

Directions

1. In two batches of 6 cups each, blanch apple slices in a small amount (roughly 1 quart) of boiling water for 1 minute. Strain apple slices and keep them covered and warm while you prepare the filling.
2. Mix all remaining ingredients except lemon juice in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and then add the lemon juice. Return to a boil and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add in the hot blanched apple slices and stir to incorporate them.
4. Fill jars leaving 1" headspace. Make sure to remove all air bubbles!
5. Water bath for 25 minutes. Let them rest for 10 minutes, then remove and cool.