Discover this luxurious velvet and super delicious homemade applesauce with a tangy taste from tamarind. No sugar added.
This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing a product, you support the growth of this blog. I thank you for that.
Lovely, if you love apples and wish you had another way to eat them, here's a simple homemade applesauce that you'll love. You can use it to replace fat in baking or in making pancakes.
I've already shared with you my homemade applesauce made with whole apples. You'll appreciate this version with prunes.
The prunes add more sweetness and a luxurious velvety texture, while the tamarind folds this applesauce with a tangy flavor.
What are prunes
A prune is a dried plum, dehydrated for extended shelf life. Some people refer to them as dry prunes, which are very sweet and chewy.
Generally, prunes are dark blue or black. In America, you might find Japanese or European prunes. Japanese are large and juicer than European prunes, which are smaller with more flesh.
While confusion can arise in English because the term prune is used somehow for both dry and fresh prunes, in French, the dried prunes are called pruneaux.
Prune benefits
Add prunes to your diet and start enjoying these benefits.
- They're rich in vitamins A, C, B3, B9, and K. They are a good source of iron, magnesium, potassium, and copper.
- Prunes are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber is what feeds your gut microbiome, which in turn promotes your health.
- Soak prunes in water and drink that first thing in the morning to alleviate constipation. Prune juice is also a good remedy for constipation.
- They are a good source of boron which is essential for bone health. Boron reduces the loss of magnesium and calcium through urine, enhancing calcium and estradiol absorption in peri and menopausal women.
- In ancient times, prunes were used to heal mouth ulcers.
- Prunes can be a source of phenolic and carotenoid compounds, though these compounds are degraded during dehydration.
- Prunes can be helpful during hypertension since they are high in potassium. The presence of a high amount of potassium also regulates kidney function as well as relaxing muscles.
- Since prunes are a good source of iron, calcium, potassium, boron, and copper, they can help build strong bones when taken daily.
- Prunes are rich in antioxidants. They, therefore, can be cancer preventive by neutralizing free radicals.
Pectin benefits
Both apples and prunes are rich in pectin, a dietary fiber that reduces low-density cholesterol (LDL).
- Pectin also improves intestinal barrier function, which decreases with aging.
- Pectin protects the gut lining from damage.
- It also promotes the growth and diversity of good gut microorganisms.
- Some types of pectin have direct interactions with the immune system.
- According to some studies, pectin could be a powerful dietary fiber that can manage and prevent inflammatory diseases.
How to make applesauce
This homemade applesauce calls for only 2 main ingredients.
- apples
- prunes
I use spices like cinnamon, tamarind, and nutmeg to improve the health benefits and add a spicy, tangy flavor.
Since both fruits are sugared, I recommend not adding sweeteners for a healthy version that will help your gut.
Use different varieties of apples for a better balance of pectin and taste. While buying prunes, pick the pitted ones, otherwise, you'll have a lot of work removing the seeds!
I suggest using organic apples. You don't have to peel off the skin, especially if you want more pectin.
Cook apples and prunes together in a skillet with just a little water till the apples reduce in quantity and are soft. Then use a blender to blend to obtain homemade prune applesauce.
Transfer the applesauce into an airtight glass jar after it has cooled. Store it in your fridge for up to a week.
You can use this applesauce as a spread on your homemade bread and pancakes, add it to your yogurts, or eat it as it is.
You might also like this chutney recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. and
Remember, you have the power to heal yourself. Githu.
Recipe
How to make delicious applesauce with prunes
Equipment
- kitchen knife
- skillet
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound/kg mixed apples
- 1 cup pitted prunes
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- some nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Clean the apples and without peeling them, cut them into cubes
- Put all the ingredients in a skillet and cook at moderate heat for about 15 minutes stirring now and then using a spatula
- Cut the heat, and wait for the apples to cool
- Put the cooked apples & prunes in a blender and pulse several times
- If you desire a smooth applesauce, then run the blender at high speed for 20 seconds
- Transfer the prune applesauce to a glass jar and leave it open to completely cool before storing it in your fridge.
- Use the prune applesauce as a spread or to make pancakes
Notes
- This homemade prune applesauce can be stored in a fridge for up to a week.
- I use seedless tamarind paste. It's compact and not in sauce or concentrated form.
Comments
No Comments