Pear Honey

(7 half-pints)

7 ½ pounds medium-ripe pears

1 cup orange blossom honey

1 tsp grated orange rind

½ tsp grated nutmeg

1. Wash and coarsely chop pears. Place in a saucepan. With a large spoon or potato masher, crush pears to release . Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pears are soft.

2. Put through a fine sieve, pressing with spoon to yield about 10 cups pear sauce. Puree pear sauce in a food processor or blender. This step creates a smooth Pear Honey. If a more textured spread is desired, skip this step.


3. Return puree to saucepan; stir in grated orange rind and nutmeg. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and boil gently 45 , stirring occasionally. Add honey; return mixture to a boil; boil gently 20 minutes or until Pear Honey mounds on a spoon or reaches desired thickness.

4. Ladle into a hot jar leaving ½ inch head space. Seal. Process in a hot water bath for 5 minutes.

Edie