Eventually, I started to remember their recipes and methods, but what I remembered far more clearly was the time they spent with me, letting my little
hands stir the batter or spread the frosting.
One of the first things I remember Grandpa R making is his applesauce, and to this day, it is one of my favorites. I requested it on my last two trips to Ohio. This summer, he even made it from apples he picked himself from the yard of one of the many people he helps.
He is also the undeniable king of using-up-whatever-he-has-on-hand. I clearly remember a couple years ago, I had carefully purchased several different kinds of apples for him to make sauce on his visit. When it was time to cook, I started pulling the most perfect apples from the bin. Grandpa R stopped me, started pulling out bruised apples, and said, “Those are the ones you want to eat. You use the messed up ones for cooking.”
This homemade applesauce goes wonderfully with pork or beef. Pork is our family tradition for New Year’s so this is one dish we will eat today. Grandpa R. was here last year and made this himself. He will not be here this New Year due to too many hours of driving in uncertain winter weather, but he will be with us in spirit and we will have the applesauce.
Happy New Year!
