recipes
Spiced Pickled Seckel Pears: Sweet Summer Memories in a Jar 🍐✨
Pickled Seckel Pears Recipe
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
🍐 Yield: 6 quarts
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 14 | Pears |
| 1 | cup cider vinegar |
| 1/2 | cinnamon stick |
| 1 | teaspoon whole cloves |
| 6 | cups sugar |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Spiced Vinegar Syrup:
- Begin by tying the cinnamon stick and whole cloves in a small cheesecloth bag. This will infuse the vinegar with delightful flavors.
- In a sturdy stainless steel kettle, combine the cider vinegar and sugar.
- Add the spice bundle to the mixture.
-
-
Boil the Syrup:
- Place the kettle on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Allow the mixture to come to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar completely.
- Let it boil for about 5 minutes, or until the syrup starts to thicken slightly. You’ll notice a delightful aroma filling your kitchen!
-
Prepare the Pears:
- While the syrup is simmering, wash and peel the pears. You can leave them whole or halve them, depending on your preference.
- Remove the cores and any seeds, ensuring the pears are clean and ready for pickling.
-
Cook the Pears in Spiced Syrup:
- Carefully add the prepared pears to the boiling syrup.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the pears to gently simmer in the flavorful liquid.
- Cook until the pears are tender but still hold their shape. This should take about 20-30 minutes. 🍐💧
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Pack the Jars:
- Once the pears are perfectly tender, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove them from the syrup.
- Fill sterilized glass jars with the cooked pears, leaving a bit of space at the top for the syrup.
-
Thicken and Pour the Syrup:
- Now, it’s time to finish the syrup! Increase the heat to medium-high and let the syrup boil vigorously.
- Keep a close eye on it, stirring occasionally, until the syrup has thickened to your liking. This should take around 10-15 minutes.
-
Finish and Seal:
- Remove the spice bundle from the syrup, ensuring no cloves or cinnamon stick remain.
- Carefully pour the hot syrup over the pears in the jars, covering them completely.
- Wipe the jar rims clean with a damp cloth to ensure a good seal.
- Seal the jars tightly with sterilized lids and rings.
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Processing (Optional):
- If you plan to store the pickled pears for an extended period, you can process the jars in a water bath canner.
- Place the sealed jars in the canner, ensuring they are covered with at least 1 inch of water.
- Process for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude if needed), then carefully remove the jars and let them cool completely.
- Check the seals on the cooled jars. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and consumed within a few weeks.
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Enjoy the Pickled Perfection:
- Allow the jars to cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place.
- These pickled Seckel pears are a delightful addition to cheese platters, salads, or enjoyed straight from the jar as a sweet and tangy snack! 🧀🍐🥗
Notes:
- Choosing the Perfect Pears: While Seckel pears are the preferred choice for this recipe, you can use any good preserving pear variety.
- Storage: Properly sealed and processed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Once opened, refrigerate and consume within a few weeks for the best flavor and texture.
- Serve with: These pickled pears are fantastic alongside aged cheeses, charcuterie, or even as a surprising topping for ice cream! 🧀🍨
This recipe for Pickled Seckel Pears is a sweet and tangy delight, capturing the essence of summer in a jar. The combination of tender pears, aromatic spices, and tangy vinegar syrup creates a flavor profile that is both nostalgic and unique. Whether you’re a seasoned canner or new to the world of preserving, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. So gather your pears, spices, and jars, and embark on a delicious journey of pickling perfection! 🍐✨
