Make It Or Buy It? Organic Applesauce

I love numbers. Charts, graphs, cost comparisons, I love them. I get great enjoyment looking at and comparing numbers. (See my Costco Price Comparisons for an example.) Ironically, I'm awful at math. I once took a college class called "Math Ideas", in which our course requirement kit included pipe cleaners, 3D glasses, and a foam puzzle. I got a B. But, I digress.  

My love for numbers was the inspiration for this new series, Make It Or Buy It? I'll compare the costs between making and purchasing various food and household items to give you a quick reference as to whether it's worth it to DIY or add it to your shopping list. Of course there are other factors besides price (health benefits, a desire to "live off the land", etc), but I'll stick to the price comparison and you can determine for your own family what's worth it and what isn't.

I had a hankering for applesauce the other day. Warm, chunky, with the slight flavor and aroma of cinnamon, simple applesauce. I found organic gala apples for $0.99/lb. I also purchase my cinnamon at Costco because cinnamon is ten times cheaper per ounce at Costco than at our local grocery store. Here's how much my batch of applesauce cost...

-Organic Apples: $0.99/lb ($1.25 for 1.25 lbs)
-Cinnamon: $0.25/oz ($0.04 for 1 tsp)

Homemade Cost: $0.11 per ounce, ($1.29 for 12 oz)
Cost at Store: $0.16 per ounce ($3.00 for 16 oz jar)

Bottom Line: Make it if you can find organic apples for less than $1.50/lb. Buy it if apples are not on sale. 

This is a great cost saver in the Fall, when you can routinely find apples for $0.49 per pound. 

Now for the fun part. My simple applesauce recipe. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or over pork chops. This only makes 12 oz of applesauce, so double the recipe if you want.

Simple Organic Applesauce

• 1.25 lb Organic Apples (about 4 medium apples)
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 3/4 C water

Peel, core, and chop apples. Throw the apple skins in the freezer and add them to your next Smoothie for a fiber boost.

Add everything to a medium saucepan and stir to combine.

Let simmer over medium heat, covered, for about 20 minutes or until apples are soft and liquid has been absorbed. Mash with a potato masher for a slightly chunky texture.

Serve and enjoy!

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