No-Sugar Apricot Applesauce

Yesterday afternoon I decided to finally try this yummy sounding applesauce recipe.  It's from  The Everything Vegan Cookbook.   It was very easy to make, and came out delicious! I highly recommend using all the spices listed below if you like a bold spicy flavor. 

You'll need:
6 apples (the recipe says you don't have to peel them but your applesauce won't be as smooth, I peeled my apples)
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
4 dates, chopped
Cinnamon to taste (optional)
Nutmeg to taste (optional)
Pumpkin Pie Spice to taste (optional)

First you'll want to peel, core, and chop the apples.

Add the apples and 1/3 cup of water to a large soup or stock pot and bring to a low boil.  Simmer, covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  I know it sounds like a very small amount of water but the water from the apples leaks out once covered.

Next add chopped apricots and dates to the pot and simmer for another 10-15 minutes.

After that you can either mash the fruit in the pot with a potato masher or large fork.  Another option is to put the fruit in a food processor and puree until smooth or desired consistency is reached.

I put the spices in before the sauce was completely pureed, just to get an all over even taste, but you could sprinkle as much on once you are finished.

The recipe makes about 4 cups.