Pear Butter

 Pear butter

4 pounds medium pears, quartered and cored

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon orange zest

¼ cup orange juice

Place pears into a large pot over medium heat and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot and keep them from sticking, about ½ cup. Cook until pears are soft, about 30 minutes. Press pears through a sieve or food mill, and measure out 2 quarts of the pulp.

Pour pear pulp and sugar into a large saucepan and stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in the orange zest, nutmeg, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick enough to mound in a spoon when the mixture begins to thicken, stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom. This will take about 1 hour.

Ladle the pear butter into hot sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe the rim of the jar and seal with lids and rings. Process for 10 minutes in a in a boiling water bath.

FYI: altitude changes the length of time to process.