Spiced Pear Jam

ratherbeswimmin''s Note:

From my mom's canning recipe collection. I am hopeful my pear trees will yield big time this year. Adapted from Southern Living.

• Total Time: 3 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 5 half pi ...

• 8 cups peeled finely chopped ripe pears (about 5 1/2 lb.)
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or more according to your taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a dutch oven.
2. Bring mixture to a boil and stir constantly.
3. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 2 hours or until thickened.
4. Skim off foam with a metal spoon.
5. Pour immediately into hot sterilized jars, filling to about 1/4 inch from the top.
6. Remove air bubbles and wipe jar rims.
7. Cover quickly with metal lids and screw on bands.
8. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Reviews

[my peanut's girl]

This recipe was EXACTLY what I was looking for. The jam was scrumptious. The only changes I made were to reduce the sugar to 2 cups, because my pears were very overripe and sweet, and I left out the ground cloves simply because I forgot I was out and it was too late to go to the store. Still tasted great. I can't wait to make it again.

[Chef Cameo]

Declicious and simple. Loved not using the pectin. Simmered for not quite two hours and it was perfect. It actually rendered eight pints for me....not sure why unless it had something to do with the type of pears so you have to judge for yourself how long to cook. A thermometer reading of 200 usually works too. But the little pops are music to my ears. This is my third batch so needless to say, this is a real winner.

[Mhauck]

I loved this jam! I plan to make it again. It turned out marvelous. I added the additional spices that JanetC-KY suggested (and a little bit more vanilla) and it turned out great. Very "spicy", but that's how I wanted it. I used about 9 cups pears and chopped them in my food processor - it was easier and faster than by hand. It yeilded 8 half pint jars. YUM!