Spiced Apple Rings

• 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)

1. 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.
2. In a 6 quart saucepan, combine sugar, water, vinegar, cloves, cinnamon candies, or cinnamon sticks and food coloring (if using).
3. Heat to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves then lower heat and simmer 3 minutes.
4. Drain apples and add to hot syrup, and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Fill prepared jars with apple rings and hot flavored syrup, leaving a 1/2" headspace.
6. Check for air bubbles and add more liquid if needed to maintain the 1/2" headspace.
7. Process pint or quart size jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes .
8. Adjust time according to your altitude.
9. 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.

tart apples, sugar, water, white vinegar, whole cloves, red hot cinnamon, red food coloring

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/spiced-apple-rings-439724 (may not work)