Spiced Pear Preserves, originally uploaded by sarahhopeh.
I have this passion. I absolutely love canning things. I only really started about a year and a half ago, but what started as a cheap Christmas present idea has completely taken me by storm.
It is so addicting!
You spend this time stirring and tasting and adding little bits of this and that. Then when you’re done, you get to enjoy the results over the next year! Peaches in December, pears in March…the glorious fruits of…using your fruits!
James has taken to calling me the fruit bandit.
My favorite way to preserve things is by getting the fruit for free! Now you may be asking yourself “how in the name of Pete does this girl get free fruit?!”
You see, Texas actually has tons of fruit that grow wild including: Prickly Pear fruit, Mustang Grapes, Pears, Peaches, Apricots, Apples, and even Blackberries! The trick is, you’ve got to keep your eyes peeled for them everywhere you go.
Thusly, I am the fruit bandit. Bandit-ing fruit where ever I find it.
Today I would like to share a shell recipe for preserves that requires about as little hands-on time as any canning recipe out there. This is a good thing folks, trust me.
Embrace the slow-cooker my friends, embrace it.
Spiced Pear Preserves
Ingredients
5 Quarts Peeled, Cored, and Thinly Sliced Pears
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup Lime or Lemon Juice
2-3 Teaspoons Spices
Directions
Using a slow cooker liner if you’ve got one, add all the ingredients to a 6 quart slow cooker. Stir to incorporate. Turn the slow cooker on high and place the lid on half way.
Forget about the preserves for 8-10 hours.
Come back and stir the now, caramelized, reduced, and delicious preserves you effortlessly made. Taste and add any other desired spices. Ladle preserves into jars and hot water bath process for 15 minutes.
Eat well and love much,
Sarah
PS- for those of you who don’t can, check out the resources from fellow blogger Food In Jars
http://www.foodinjars.com/canning-resources/
PPS- Use what ever combo of spices suits your fancy! I use allspice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
I have 10 lbs of pears. I’ll try this out. Looks so nice and delicious in the picture. Love that it doesn’t have much sugar. I might try honey and vanilla bean or ginger. I’ve made lots of pear chutney, but never used the slow cooker. Can’t wait to make it tomorrow. Do you know how many lbs of pears you usually use for 5qts?
I don’t know for certain as I haven’t been weighing my pears before I cook them, but I would venture to guess you’ll get around two batches out of those 10 pounds. I just ordered a scale from Amazon and will update my recipes as I am able to weigh them later this week. Hope they work out great for you!
I’ll let you know how it works out. Thanks for the recipe!
Is it 5 quarts after they are peeled, cored and sliced? So about 18 cups of sliced pears? Or 5 quarts of whole pears?
5 quarts peeled and sliced pears so that you’ll have just a bit of room left in your 6 quart crock pot.
Thank you!
How much head space should be left in the jars?
half an inch headspace.