Vegetarian Mincemeat Pie Filling

Mincemeat got it's name from the usage of meat byproducts, primarily beef suet; with alternatives being widely available, many people prefer Mincemeat that uses an alternative to beef suet. After some experimentation, I've found that Crisco Vegetable Shortening works perfectly to produce delicious Mincemeat.

Here are the basic ingredients I use to make my Vegetarian Mincemeat.
Feel free to tweak depending on what is available, and according to personal preference.

• 3 Cups Crisco
  
• 1 Granny Smith Apple
• 1 Honeycrisp Apple
  
• 1 Bag Dried Currants
• 1 Bag California Raisins
• 2 Cups of Golden Raisins
• 1/2 Bag Dried Cherries
• 1 Bag Dried Cranberries
  
• 28oz Jar Apple Butter
• 1.5 Cups Apple Sauce
• 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
• 3/4 Cup Lemon Juice
  
• 1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
  
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon Nutmeg
• 1/2 Tablespoon Allspice
  
  
• 1/2 Cup Whisky (Optional)

Begin by melting down 3 Cups of Crisco over low heat in a large pot.
Dice your apples into fairly small pieces and stir them into the Crisco. Cook while stirring intermittently until the Apple pieces start to become tender.

Add 1 bag of Currants, 1 bag of Cranberries, 1/2 bag of dried Cherries, 1 bag of Raisins, 1 bag of Golden Raisins, and 1 bag of Jumbo Raisins to the pot.

Increase the heat to medium and add your remaining ingredients:

• 1.5 Cups Apple Sauce
• 1 28oz Jar Apple Butter
• 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
• 3/4 Cup Lemon Juice
• 1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon Nutmeg
• 1/2 Tablespoon Allspice

Cook the mixture, bringing it to a boil while stirring constantly, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot.
Simmer for ~1 to 2 hours; every ~10 minutes or so, stir the mixture thoroughly and scrape the bottom of the pan to prevent scorching.
[Optional: Stir in 1/2 Cup whisky and cook for an additional 10 minutes over medium heat.]

Turn off the heat and allow the concoction to cool to room temperature.
[You may think it seems too runny, but it will solidify a bit when cooled.]

At this point the Mincemeat can be used to fill a pie, empanadas or tarts, or it can be refrigerated for later use.