Prepare a boiling water bath canner and 4 half pint jars and lids.
Line a sieve or colander with a tea towel and place it over a large bowl.
Grate apples into the lined sieve. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and toss gently to combine.
Gather up the sides of the towel and squeeze some of the juice out from the apples. You should yield approximately 1 1/2 – 2 cups.
Measure one cup of reserved apple juice into a medium saucepan and add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, along with the spices.
Once sugar has dissolved, add the apples. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until the apple shreds have broken down a little and reabsorbed the spiced juice.
Divide the citric acid between the four half pint jars (it helps prevent the apples from browning during storage) and pack the hot apple shreds into the jars, leaving 3/4 inch headspace.
Wipe the rims, apply lids and rings and process in a boiling water bath canner for 25 minutes. When time is up, remove pot from heat and let jars stand in the warm water for an additional 5 minutes. This time helps prevent the apples from siphoning out of the jars.
Remove jars from canner and let them cool on a folded kitchen towel. When jars are fully cool, check seals. If they’re good, place jars in a cool, dark place and use within one year.