ROSY APPLESAUCE (with cranberries, about 4 cups)

4 pounds Golden Delicious apples (about 8) peeled, cored and cut into 1 inch pieces

1-1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries (6 ounces)

½ cup sugar

1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick

1. Cook apples, cranberries, sugar and cinnamon stick in a large, heavy saucepan, covered, over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until fruit is very tender and broken down into a sauce, about 45 minutes.  Discard the cinnamon stick.

2. For a smoother texture, force the applesauce through a medium-mesh sieve or a food mill fitted with a fine disk into a bowl.

3. Cool to room temperature or chill before serving.

NOTE:  Applesauce can be made 1 week ahead and chilled, covered.

from Melissa Roberts, Gourmet Magazine, December, 2007