Winter Pear Butter Recipes

SLOW-COOKER PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, toss remaining ingredients. Add spice bag, covering with pears., Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until pears are tender. Remove spice bag., Puree pear mixture using an immersion blender. Or, cool slightly and puree mixture in a blender in batches; return to slow cooker., Cook, uncovered, on high 1-2 hours or until mixture is thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Store cooled pear butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Freeze option: Freeze cooled pear butter in freezer containers up to 3 months. Liquids expand as they freeze, so leave extra room at the top of the freezer container. To use, thaw in refrigerator.

WINTER PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Peel, quarter and core the pears; chop in 1/2-inch pieces.
• Put all the ingredients in a large heavy pot; bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and cook, stirring often, for 15 minutes, or until the pears are soft.
• Puree the mixture in a food processor or blender.
• Return the puree to the pot.
• Cook uncovered over very low heat, stirring often, for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, or until the pear butter is very thick.
• Be careful not to let it scorch.
• Remove from the heat.
• Stir the hot pear butter for a minute or two to release more heat.
• Spoon into clean hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top of each jar.
• Wipe the rim of each jar.
• Cover and allow to come to room temperature. (You'll notice that the pear butter is a rather gray-green color; this is the correct color.)
• Label the jars and refrigerate for up to three weeks.
• (Remember: The label should include the name of the recipe and the date by which it should be eaten. Be sure the recipient stores the pear butter in the refrigerator.).