Winterpearbutter Recipes

PEAR BUTTER RECIPE

Steps:

• Place pears, sugar, all spice and nutmeg into slow cooker and mix. Turn on high and cook for 4 -5 hours, until pear pieces are very soft. Once cooked, cool enough to mix with immersion blender, or pour into regular blender. Blend to desired texture. Add vanilla and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly. Pour into jars to store in fridge or freezer.

PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears into a large pot over medium heat, and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot and keep them from sticking, about 1/2 cup. Cook until the pears are soft, about 30 minutes. Press pears through a sieve or food mill, and measure out 2 quarts of the pulp.
• Pour the pear pulp and sugar into a large saucepan and stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in the orange zest, nutmeg and orange juice. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick enough to mound in a spoon. When the mixture begins to thicken, stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom. This will take about 1 hour.
• Ladle the pear butter into hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles by sliding a metal spatula around where the pear butter touches the glass. Wipe jar rims clean, and seal with lids and rings. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. The water should cover the jars by 1 inch. Check with your local extension for exact processing times for your area.

BASIC PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears in a food processor or blender; puree until smooth.
• Measure 3 cups pureed pears into a saucepan. Add sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbling, about 15 minutes. Stir in cinnamon. Cook, stirring frequently, until thick, about 15 minutes more.
• Immerse a 1-pint jar in simmering water for 5 minutes. Wash lid and ring in warm soapy water. Fill hot jar with pear mixture. Seal and store in the refrigerator.

CARAMEL SPICE PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Wash the pears but do not peel or core them; slice pears into a heavy saucepan (at least 5-quart size).
• Add water, cover, and cook until tender (about 30 minutes).
• Remove from heat and press the pears through a colander or a food mill.
• Measure the pear pulp (you should have about 8 cups) and return to the pan.
• Using a frying pan, heat 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, stirring until it melts and caramelizes to a medium brown color.
• Pour immediately into the pear pulp (the syrup will sizzle and harden, but dissolve again as the preserves cook).
• Add the remaining sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger.
• Cook uncovered, until thick (about 45 minutes).
• Stir frequently as it begins to thicken to prevent it from sticking.
• Stir in lemon juice just before removing it from heat.
• Pour hot mixture into steralized 1/2 pint jars, put on lid, and crew band tightly.
• Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

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.).