A Sweet and Simple Pear Butter Recipe for Canning
Pear butter is a delicious and versatile spread that can be enjoyed on toast, biscuits, crackers, or even as a glaze for meats. It's a great way to preserve the sweetness and flavor of pears, and it's surprisingly easy to make. This recipe yields approximately 7 half-pint jars of pear butter.
Ingredients:
- 6 pounds ripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Prepare the pears:
- Wash and peel the pears.
- Cut in half, remove the core, and chop the pears into small pieces.
2. Cook the pears:
- Combine the chopped pears, water, sugar, and spices (if using) in a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the pears are very soft.
3. Process the pears:
- Using an immersion blender or a standard blender, purée the pear mixture until smooth.
- Return the puréed pear mixture to the pot and continue to cook over low heat for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pear butter has thickened to your desired consistency.
4. Sterilize the jars:
- Wash the jars, lids, and rings in hot, soapy water.
- Place the jars and lids in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to sterilize.
5. Fill the jars:
- Ladle the hot pear butter into the sterilized jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean damp cloth to remove any spills.
6. Seal the jars:
- Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings, tightening them just until they are fingertip tight.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the boiling water bath and allow them to cool completely.
7. Store the pear butter:
- Once the jars have cooled completely, check to make sure that the lids have sealed properly (they should be indented in the center).
- Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Tips:
- For a smoother pear butter, you can strain the cooked pears through a fine-mesh sieve before processing them.
- Experiment with different spices to create your own unique flavor combinations. Some popular additions include ginger, cardamom, and vanilla.
- Pear butter can be made with different varieties of pears. Choose pears that are ripe and flavorful for the best results.
Enjoy your homemade pear butter!
