4 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, optional
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbls. lemon juice, optional
2 or 3 drops yellow food coloring
5 1/2 or 6 lbs. tart apples

In large saucepan, blend first 5 ingredients. Stir in 10 cups water and cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Add lemon juice and food coloring, stir. Pack sliced apples into hot quart jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Fill jars with hot syrup. Process in boiling hot water bath 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 6 to 7 quarts.

To make a pie, prepare pastry for a 2 crust pie. Add 1 quart mix.