Caramelized Apple Marmalade With Thyme

MrsKette's Note:

This is delicious. It has a delicate flavor--not tasteless, just delicate!--and looks nice. I boil caramel longer, so apples acquire a stronger caramel taste. Servings are a guess. (Source: Preserving the Taste, Edon Waycott)

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 10

Yield: 3.0 pints

• 10 large tart green apples , such as Granny Smith (about 4 pounds)
• 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups apple juice (bottled or fresh)
• 1 vanilla bean , split, scraped, and cut into thirds
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme , finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)

Directions:

1. Peel, core, and cut apples into 1" pieces. Toss immediately with lemon juice. Set aside.
2. Stir together sugar, 1/2 cup of apple juice, and vanilla bean in large nonreactive shallow preserving pan. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Cool, without stirring, until mixture caramelizes to a medium amber color. Add apple slices and accumulated juices, remaining apple juice, cinnamon, and thyme. (Caramel will clump together but will eventually remelt.) Continue cooking on moderately high heat, watching carefully so juices do not boil over. Turn apples over in the syrup until slices are completely glazed and translucent and there is little liquid left in pan, about 20-30 minutes. Remove vanilla bean. (Some of the apples will break apart.) Remove from heat.
3. Spoon into hot sterilized jars, wipe rims clean with damp towel, and seal with new lids and metal rings. Process in hot-water bath for 5 minutes. Remove, cool, check seals, label, and store.