Balsamic Apple Butter

Ingredients:

8 cups chopped apples

1 ½ cups apple cider

¾ cup Aged Cinnamon Pear Balsamic Vinegar

½ teaspoon sea salt

1 cup white sugar

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon cloves

Directions:

Combine chopped apples, cider, Aged Cinnamon Pear Balsamic Vinegar, sea salt, and sugar in a Dutch oven.  Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until apples are soft.  Puree mixture until smooth using a hand immersion blender (a traditional blender may be used if mixture is cooled).  Stir in cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.  Bake uncovered at 275 degrees for about 3 hours (stir mixture every 30 minutes).  Puree mixture again if a smoother texture is desired.  Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate covered (use within a week).  Enjoy!

Suggested uses:  Apple butter PB sandwiches; Stir into oatmeal; Use as a glaze for pork chops; Add to an apple vinaigrette; Make apple butter cinnamon rolls