Miij’s Jujube Apple Butter

Jujube Apple Butter (makes about 1 medium jar, 16 oz):

• 5 apples, cored and roughly cubed (I used Cosmic Crisp which are perfectly sweet and tart; Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp would also be good varietals)
• 8 dried jujubes, pitted
• Drizzle of vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (optional)

Step 1. Add apples, jujubes, and about 1/4 cup water to a small dutch oven and roast at 350°F for one hour until fruit is softened. Alternatively, you can do it stovetop in a thick-bottomed saucepan over low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally so that it doesn’t burn. Do not caramelize the fruit. Just gently cook, lowering the heat if necessary.

Step 2. Blend the cooked fruit until it becomes a smooth purée. I used my Ninja blender but a Vitamin or even an immersion blender would work great. Make sure it is very smooth at this point. Pour purée back into the pot with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of vanilla.

Step 3. Cook on low, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn. After 10-20 minutes, depending on your desired consistency, the jujube apple butter is ready. I tested mine to make sure it thickly coated the back of a spoon. Store in an airtight glass jar and enjoy on top of toast, with cheesecake, on top of grilled meat — the options are endless! Happy fall 😊