For the Christkindl applesauce, cook apple pieces in a saucepan with the orange juice, vanilla sugar and grated orange peel until soft. When the apples break down, puree with a hand blender or blender.
Boil the puree with the cardamom pods, grated orange zest, and preserving sugar in a large saucepan until bubbly, at least 5 minutes. Fish out the cardamom pods. Pour the Christkindl applesauce into clean twist-off jars while still boiling hot.