Pears Exotica - pears

Method

• Prepare jars, lids and bands.
• Peel, halve and core pears.
• Place in a color protection solution made of 4 Tbsp Fruit Fresh dissolved in 8 cups water, if desired.
• Set aside.
• With vegetable peeler remove the zest from lemons in a continuous spiral; cut into 4 pieces.
• Squeeze lemon juice.
• In a large stainless steel saucepan combine sugar, water, vinegar and lemon juice.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Drain pears and add to syrup; cook mixture until liquid returns to a boil and pears are heated through.
• Place 1 strip lemon peel, 1 bay leaf, 3 pink and 3 green peppercorns in a hot jar.
• Pack hot pears snugly into prepared jars leaving a 3/4 inch headspace.
• Pour 1/4 cup of brandy over pears.
• Add hot syrup to cover pears leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.
• Using nonmetallic utensil, remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if equired, by adding more pears, spices and hot syrup.
• Process filled jars for 20 minutes in a boiling water bath.
• Adjust time according to your altitude.