Canned Apple Pie Filling

Wash, peel and core apples. Prepare half inch wide slices and place in water containing 1 teaspoon ascorbic acid or 6 vitamin C 500mg tablets in a gallon of water to prevent browning. For fresh fruit, place 6 cups at a time in 1 gallon of boiling water. Boil each batch 1 minute after the water returns to a boil. Drain, but keep heated fruit in a covered bowl or pot. Combine sugar, clear-jel and cinnamon in a large kettle with water and apple juice. (Add nutmeg and food coloring here if desired). Stir and cook on medium heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Fold in drained apple slices immediately and fill jars with mixture without delay, leaving 1 inch head space. Adjust lids and process immediately in a boiling water bath. 0-1000 feet 25 minutes 1001-3000 30 minutes 3001-6000 35 minutes