Spiced Apple Rings - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 lbs firm tart apples, no more than 2 1/2-inch diameter
12 cups sugar
6 cups water
1 1/4 cups white vinegar, 5
3 tablespoons whole cloves
3/4 cup red hot cinnamon candies or 8 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)

Preparation

Wash apples. Peel and slice one apple at a time. Immediately cut crosswise into 1/2\" slices, remove core area with a melon baller and immerse in ascorbic acid solution to keep the apples from discoloring.
In a 6 quart saucepan, combine sugar, water, vinegar, cloves, cinnamon candies, or cinnamon sticks and food coloring (if using).
Heat to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves then lower heat and simmer 3 minutes.
Drain apples and add to hot syrup, and cook for 5 minutes.
Fill prepared jars with apple rings and hot flavored syrup, leaving a 1/2\" headspace.
Check for air bubbles and add more liquid if needed to maintain the 1/2\" headspace.
Process pint or quart size jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes .
Adjust time according to your altitude.
NOTE: This can also be pressure canned. Pressure Canner - Hot pack pints or quarts and process for 8 minutes at the pressure specified according to your altitude and / or style of canner.