🍐 Old-Fashioned Pear Preserves

🍽️ Cuisine: Southern American

🍯 Dish Type: Preserves / Jam

🌟 Flavor Profile: Sweet, fruity, slightly spiced

🍴 Yields: About 4–5 half-pint jars

⏱️ Total Time: ~1.5–2 hours

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📝 Ingredients:

• 4 cups peeled, cored, and sliced ripe pears (about 6–8 medium pears)
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• ¼ tsp ground ginger (optional)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ½ cup water

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🔥 Directions:

1. Prep Pears:
   Peel, core, and slice pears evenly. Aim for ¼-inch thick slices or chunks.
2. Combine in Pot:
   In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine pears, sugar, lemon juice, zest, spices, and water. Stir to coat.
3. Rest & Macerate (Optional but recommended):
   Let mixture sit for 1 hour or overnight in the fridge to allow pears to release their juices.
4. Cook:
   Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Cook for 45–60 minutes, or until pears become translucent and the syrup thickens.
5. Jar It Up:
   Ladle hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving ¼” headspace. Wipe rims, seal with lids and bands.
6. Water Bath (Optional for canning):
   Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes for shelf-stable preserves. Let cool completely.

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✅ Tips & Notes:

• For a chunky texture, don’t over-stir; for smoother preserves, mash slightly as they cook.
• Spice it up with a cinnamon stick or a pinch of nutmeg.
• Delicious over toast, pancakes, biscuits, or stirred into oatmeal!

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