Low-Carb Crockpot Applesauce (LC, GF, SF)

As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, it’s the season for chayote squash! Which means this low-carber is busy making and canning “apple” sauce!

 

 

You see, I LOVE apple sauce! Adore it even! I could eat it on a daily basis. But of course when you are on a very-low carb plan, that’s not really happening. So when chayote season rolls around, I make the most of it and stock up on yummy applesauce that’s ok for me to eat. This mock apple sauce is so close to the real thing, people usually can’t tell a difference, so I’m a happy camper.

The only thing that is slightly different is the texture. It’s closer to slightly “undercooked” applesauce, but it works for me. I hope it works for you too!

Now, I am well aware that I might have some weird and wonderful ingredients in my kitchen that others don’t. Actually there is no “might” about it, so I’m going to give you two recipes. The one that gets you a pretty good applesauce with readily available ingredients and the one that I make because, well I have those other things in my cupboard too!

So, first of all the basic recipe.

 

 

Low-Carb Crockpot Applesauce

 

Ingredients:

5 large chayote squash, peeled, cored and finely diced

2 envelopes of sugar-free spiced apple cider drink mix (gluten-free cooks, please see note at the bottom)

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1/4 cup Monin sweetener base

1 cup of water

1/4 tsp stevia extract

1 cup of unsweetened applesauce

 

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

 

Preparation:

Place everything but the xanthan gum in your crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours. When that time is up, put your “apples” into a blender, juice and all, add the xanthan gum and blend until smooth. Pour the smooth mix back into the crock pot and cook for another 2 hours on low. Once the chayote has reached the tenderness you like, it’s done!

If your canning, fill into sterile jars and process in a water bath.

Otherwise, let it cool down and keep refrigerated or freeze.

 

Makes about fifteen half cup servings at 3.7 net carbs each.

 

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And here is the version I made recently, using what I had on hand. I prefer it as it seem to have a more intense apple flavor, but the difference is possibly only noticeable to me!

 

5 medium to large chayote squash, peeled, cored and finely diced

2 envelopes of sugar-free spiced apple cider drink mix (gluten-free cooks, please see note at the bottom)

Juice of one lemon

1 tsp Ascorbic Acid

1/4 cup Monin sweetener base

1 cup of water

1/4 tsp stevia extract

1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce

1 snack pack of  Freeze-Dried Apples (0.35 oz.)

 

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

 

Prepare as above.

 

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Note for gluten-free cooks: Alpine sugar-free apple cider drink mix contains maltodextrin, so it is not suitable for a gluten-free diet. You can use 1 tbsp. of apple juice concentrate instead (adjust the carb count) or use an apple/apple cider flavor concentrates like this one or this one or this one from nature’s flavors.

All are excellent flavors and are sugar-free, gluten-free and essentially carb free, saving 8 g of carbs per envelope on on “Apple” preparations. However, the sugar-free alpine drink mix is available at local grocery stores (Wal-Mart, target etc.)