Lamb's Wool

Ingredients

6 apples, cored
2 to 8 tablespoons brown sugar
2 quarts sweet cider, or hard cider or a mixture of cider and ale
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger; ground

Instructions

Roast the apples in a baking pan at 450F for about an hour, or until they are very soft and begin to burst. (An alternative - and quicker- procedure is to peel and boil the apples until they are very soft and flaky.) You may leave the apples whole, or break them up. In a large saucepan, dissolve the sugar a few tablespoons at a time in the cider or ale , tasting for sweetness. Add the spices. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Pour the liquid over the apples in a large punch bowl, or serve in a large heat resistant mugs. MAKES: 8 -1 cup servings Note: Nuts make a nice accompaniment to Lamb's Wool (they were originally roasted in with the apples.)