Description
Canning Anjou Pears is a rewarding and cost-effective way to preserve the delicate sweetness of these versatile fruits. By carefully preparing, blanching, and processing the pears, you can enjoy their fresh flavor all year long.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–7 pounds Anjou pears, ripe but firm
- Water (for cleaning, blanching, and syrup)
- 4 cups sugar (adjust for desired sweetness)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- Optional spices: 1 cinnamon stick, 2–3 whole cloves, 1 vanilla bean (split)
- 1/4 teaspoon canning salt per pint jar (optional)
Instructions
- Sterilize Canning Jars: Wash jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and sterilize jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Keep jars hot until use.
- Prepare Pears: Wash, peel, and halve or quarter pears. Remove cores and seeds. Place prepared pears in a bowl of cold water mixed with 1/4 cup lemon juice per 8 cups water to prevent browning.
- Make Syrup: In a large saucepan, combine water and sugar according to desired syrup type. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add optional spices and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove spices.
- Blanch Pears: Drain pears from lemon water and blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes. Transfer to ice water to stop cooking.
- Pack Jars: Pack hot jars with pears, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Pour hot syrup over pears, maintaining 1/2-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and wipe rims clean.
- Seal Jars: Place sterilized lids on jars and screw bands fingertip-tight.
- Process in Water Bath: Submerge jars in boiling water, ensuring at least 1 inch of water covers them. Process times:
Pints: 20 min (0–1,000 ft), 25 min (1,001–6,000 ft), 30 min (above 6,000 ft).
Quarts: 25 min (0–1,000 ft), 30 min (1,001–6,000 ft), 35 min (above 6,000 ft). - Cool and Store: Remove jars from canner and cool 12–24 hours. Check seals and store in a cool, dark place.
Notes
Choose firm, unblemished pears to prevent mushiness. Proper blanching and syrup preparation ensure perfect texture and flavor preservation.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 1.5 hours
- Category: Preserving
- Method: Canning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg