Apple Pie Filling - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. quick-cooking tapioca
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
10 c. water
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 to 3 drops yellow or red food coloring
8 to 9 lb. tart apples, sliced (about 16 c.)

Preparation

In large saucepan, blend first 5 ingredients well. Stir in 10 cups water. Cook on medium-high heat and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Add lemon juice and, if desired, food coloring. Add the apples to sauce. Stir constantly and bring mixture up to rolling boil. Cook 1 minute at a rolling boil. Keep saucepan on the burner and ladle mixture into sterile jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Process in boiling water bath 25 minutes for pints or quarts.