Sugar & Spice Pear Chips: Sweet Summertime in a Jar Recipe

Certainly! Here’s a detailed recipe for making Preserved Pear Chips, a delightful treat that captures the essence of sweet summertime in a jar. This recipe, hailing from the US Regional Cookbook by the Chicago Culinary Arts Institute in 1947, offers a unique and delicious way to make use of any surplus pears you may have on hand. 🍐✨

Preserved Pear Chips

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 6-ounce jars

Description:

Sweet summertime in a jar. A delicious and unusual way to use up any extra pears you may have. While this recipe is written in an old-fashioned way, it is perfectly safe if processed using modern methods.

Ingredients:

• 7 cups sugar
• 4 cups water
• 2 lemons
• 2 ounces crystallized ginger
• 4 pounds pears

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pears:

   • Peel and core the pears, then slice them thinly into chip-like pieces. You can use a mandoline slicer for uniform thickness.

2. Make the Syrup:

   • In a large pot, combine the sugar and water to create a syrup. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves.

3. Add Flavor:

   • Slice the lemons thinly and add them to the syrup.
   • Chop the crystallized ginger into small pieces and add them to the pot.

4. Simmer the Pear Chips:

   • Gently place the pear slices into the simmering syrup. Let them cook over low heat for about 1 hour, or until the pears become translucent and tender. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

5. Prepare the Jars:

   • While the pears are simmering, sterilize your jars and lids by boiling them in water for a few minutes. This ensures they are clean and ready for preserving.

6. Fill the Jars:

   • Once the pear chips are done cooking and the syrup has thickened slightly, carefully ladle the hot mixture into the prepared jars. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar to allow for expansion.

7. Seal the Jars:

   • Wipe the jar rims clean with a damp cloth to remove any residue. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands until they are fingertip tight.

8. Process the Jars:

   • To preserve the pear chips for long-term storage, you can process the jars in a boiling water bath. Place the jars in a large pot of boiling water, making sure they are fully submerged. Process for 10 minutes to seal the jars.

9. Cool and Store:

   • Carefully remove the jars from the water bath using jar lifters and place them on a towel-lined countertop to cool. As they cool, you may hear the satisfying “pop” of the lids sealing.

10. Enjoy!:

    • Once the jars have cooled completely, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If it doesn’t move, the jar is sealed. Store the preserved pear chips in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

These Preserved Pear Chips are a wonderful addition to your pantry, perfect for enjoying as a sweet snack, topping for yogurt or oatmeal, or as a delightful accompaniment to cheese plates. Share them with friends and family or keep them all to yourself for a taste of summer any time of the year! 🍐🌞

Nutritional Information (per serving – 2 pear chips):

• Calories: 45
• Fat: 0.03g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0.3mg
• Carbohydrates: 11.8g
• Fiber: 0.9g
• Sugar: 10.9g
• Protein: 0.1g

Enjoy the sweetness of these Preserved Pear Chips, a delightful taste of history brought to your modern kitchen! 🍐✨