Mama's Spiced Apples

Mama's Spiced Apples 6 large, firm apples 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 6 thin lemon slices 1 Tbs. grated orange zest 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 3 whole cloves 2 tsp. cornstarch 1/4 cup cold water red food coloring 12 maraschino cherries Peel and halve apples. Remove the stem ends. Carefully remove the core using a melon ball scoop. The halves need to be left intact in one piece. Combine sugar and water in a large skillet. Bring to a boil. Add the lemon slices, cloves, orange zest, and cinnamon. Add the apples. Simmer over medium heat until the apples are tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Turn the apples over once during cooking. Remove apples and lemon slices to a serving dish. Bring the syrup in the skillet to a rolling boil. Boil until it forms a thin syrup (4-5 minutes). Stir the cornstarch into the 1/4 cup cold water. Stir into the syrup mixture and cook for about minutes or until thickened. Add a few drops of red food coloring.