Spiced Pear Butter

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Yields: 5 cups

Ingredients

• 6  lbs pears, peeled cored and chopped (about 16 large) (ripe)
• 3  cups  apple juice
• 4  cinnamon sticks, (3-inch) broken into pieces
• 2  slices  fresh gingerroot, 1 oz
• 12  whole allspice
• 8  whole cloves
• 3  cups sugar

Directions

1. Combine pears and apple juice in a large Dutch oven.
2. Tie broken cinnamon spices, gingerroot, allspice and cloves in a piece of cheese cloth; add to pear mixture. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until pears are tender.
3. Drain pears, and discard spice bag.
4. Mash pears or process in food processor until smooth.
5. Return pear puree to Dutch oven, and add sugar.
6. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 30 to 40 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
7. Remove from heat, and quickly pour hot pear mixture into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace; wipe jar rims.
8. Cover at once with metal lids, and screw on bands.
9. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes.