Canned Cinnamon Gingered Pears

Natural Health, Nov, 2007 by Suzann Pileggi

Canned Cinnamon Gingered Pears

Makes 1 haft-pint jar

Ginger and lemon give freshness to
these cooked pears, and honey brings
out their natural sweetness. For more
dessert-friendly fare, try substituting
one fresh mint leaf for the bay leaf.
Before you begin, wash and dry your
jar, lid, and seal.

2 cups Bosc pears, peeled, cored, and
  cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup water
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon clover or alfalfa honey
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, plus 1
  cinnamon stick
  Rind of 1/2 lemon, cut into slices
5 whole cloves
1 tablespoon dried cranberries,
  raisins, or currants
1 bay leaf

1. To keep pears from browning, place
them in a medium bowl and cover with
cold water and 1 tablespoon lemon
juice. Let sit for 10 minutes, then drain.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium
heat, combine 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon
lemon juice, and honey. Bring to a boil.
Add pears, ginger, cinnamon, lemon
rind, and cloves to saucepan and stir
gently. Cover and reduce heat; simmer
until pears are soft (8 to 10 minutes).

3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pears
to a half-pint jar. Add dried cranberries
(or raisins or currants, as desired),
cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Ladle
remaining hot syrup into jar, leaving 1/2
inch of space at top. Carefully secure
seal and lid to top of jar.

4. Place a large pot of water on the
range with a canning rack (or cake rack)
at the bottom of the pot. Place jar on
canning rack, making sure there is at
least 1 inch of water over the lid of the
jar. Cover pot. Over high heat, bring to a
rolling boil. Cook over a hard rolling boil
for about 20 minutes. Turn off heat and
remove cover; let cool for 5 minutes.

5. With tongs, gently remove the jar
(without tilting), and place upright on
a towel in a secure, draft-free place. Do
not dry jar or lid. Let stand for 24 hours.

6. Test the jar's seal (see instructions at
left). If the seal is airtight, store the jar
in a cool, dark place--it will keep for up
to one year.