Stovetop Apple Butter

Ingredients:
- 6 to 7 pounds tart apples, unpeeled and quartered
- 3 cups water
- 3-1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)

Directions:
- In a 6- to 8-qt. heavy kettle, bring apples and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender. Press cooked apples through a colander or food mill. Discard peels.
- Return pureed apples to the kettle. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently, until the consistency is very thick and the color is dark brown, about 8 hours. Freeze in containers.