| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 250 | 0.5g | 0g | 68g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 53g | 7g | 0.6g | 0.04g |
What’s not to love about a brilliant, fruit-based recipe like Pear Butter? Silky-smooth and delectably sweet, this homemade treat has a way of pulling nostalgic heartstrings even if you’ve never tasted it before. I find it to act as a bridge linking my urban, Boston life to my familial roots, firmly planted in the Irish tradition of preserving fruits during bountiful seasons to enjoy during the colder months. The simple joy of spreading some of this pear goodness, on a slice of fresh bread, transports you to a simpler time when food was all about savouring each bite and appreciating the seasons.
A gift from mother nature
Pears, the quintessential ingredient in Pear Butter, are a fabulous source of essential nutrients and dietary fibre. Besides aiding on digestion, they act as a powerhouse providing Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and even some traces of calcium. The sugars used here, although quite simple in nature, play a vital role in preserving these nutritional goodies while the spices, especially the cloves, lend not just their aromatic warmth but also a good dose of antioxidants.
More than a spread
While Pear Butter is often likened to Apple Butter due to their similar preparation and usage, its taste and texture make it a versatile addition in the kitchen. Imagine a generous dollop of it melting into hot oatmeal or enhancing a simple pound cake with its distinctively rich taste. It’s also an incredible pairing with roasted meats, even with the famed Boston Baked Beans. The multitude of tastes and dishes this recipe works magic on is quite impressive.
Preparing Pear Butter seems oddly therapeutic to me. It’s a gentle yet striking reminder of my Laura and our little lad at home, patiently awaiting a taste of this homely concoction, perhaps unwittingly it’s our own Boston-Irish tradition in the making. Every simmer, every stir cultivating a deeper love for food and what it signifies – a sustaining force, a conduit of love, often, the heart of a home.
What You’ll Need
- 5 pounds ripe pears
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Method
Step One
Start by preparing the pears. Peel them, remove the cores and cut them into chunks.
Step Two
Place the cut pears into a large pot. Add both the white and brown sugar. Mix it all together so all pears are coated with sugar. Let it stand for about an hour.
Step Three
Place the pot over medium heat and cook until sugar is completely dissolved. After that add ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Mix it all together so the pears are evenly coated with spices.
Step Four
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours or until the pears are completely softened. Stir the mixture every now and then to keep it from burning.
Step Five
When the pears are tender, remove the pot from the heat. Use a blender or a food processor to puree the pears until they are smooth. Add the lemon juice and stir well.
Step Six
Return the pear puree to the pot and simmer over low heat, stirring regularly, for about 2 hours or until the mixture is thick and dark. Let it cool before storing it in glass jars.
