HOW TO MAKE PEAR PRESERVES IN A CROCKPOT RECIPES

Steps:

• 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 1/2 cup. Cook until the pears are soft, about 30 minutes. Press pears through a sieve or food mill, and measure out 2 quarts of the pulp.
• Pour the 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 1/4 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles by sliding a metal spatula around where the pear butter touches the glass. Wipe jar rims clean, and seal with lids and rings. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. The water should cover the jars by 1 inch. Check with your local extension for exact processing times for your area.

Steps:

• Wash the Apples in cool water.
• Slice apples into quarters or smaller pieces if using very large apples.
• Add 3 cups of Water to a large sauce pot, place on Medium-High Heat, bring to a rolling boil.
• Add Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Add the sliced apples.
• Cover pot, reduce heat and let apples simmer for about 30 minutes or until soft.
• Firmer apples will need more cooking time. Stir apples as needed as they cook down.
• Use a spoon to remove apples from liquid, place apples in a food mill or sieve.
• Force the pulp through sieve and place in separate bowl below.
• Measure the amount of puree you now have as you place it back into the sauce pot.
• Add ½ cup Sugar to each cup of apple puree, adjusting amount as needed… starting with ½ cup as Brown Sugar and the remainder as White Sugar. You’ll need 1/2 cup Sugar for each cup of puree.
• Stir sugar until it dissolves.
• Add Cinnamon
• Add Ground Cloves
• Add Ground Allspice
• Add Lemon, zest and juice only.
• Add Vanilla Extract
• Add pinch of Salt
• Stir well to incorporate all flavors.
• Place sauce pot over very low heat and let simmer for about 6 hours, stirring as needed to keep from burning. Mixture will thicken over time and splatter if not watched carefully.
• As it thickens, place a spoonful on a saucer that has been kept in the freezer.
• Swipe your finger through the butter to see if it will leave a trail or if it runs back together.
• When done, ladle into hot jars leaving ¼ inch headspace.
• Remove air bubbles, clean rim, apply lid, apply band, tighten finger tight.
• Process 10 minutes using the water bath method.