Spiced Pear Butter — FarmPal

Ingredients

• •8 lbs ripe pears (Bartlett or Anjou soft and fragrant)
• •1 cup apple cider
• •1.5 cups sugar (reduce to 1 cup for less sweet)
• •2 teaspoons cinnamon
• •1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• •1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• •1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• •2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

1. 1Wash, core, and roughly chop pears peeling is optional (skins add body and fiber)
2. 2Combine pears and apple cider in large heavy pot
3. 3Cook over medium heat 20-25 minutes until pears are completely soft and falling apart
4. 4Use immersion blender to puree until smooth (or process through food mill for silkier result)
5. 5Add sugar, all spices, and lemon juice, stir well
6. 6Reduce heat to low, cook uncovered 1-2 hours, stirring every 10-15 minutes
7. 7Butter is done when a spoonful holds its shape on a plate with no liquid ring
8. 8Caution: thick fruit butters sputter use a splatter guard and long sleeves
9. 9Ladle hot pear butter into hot half-pint jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace
10. 10Remove bubbles, wipe rims, apply lids
11. 11Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath
12. 12Spread on toast, swirl into oatmeal, or use as a pastry filling