09/03/24: Recipe - Five Spice Poached Pears

Secondary Resources - Inspired by Market
Five Spice Poached Pears

• 4 lb. small sugar pears
• ¼ cup lemon juice, if available
• 2 cups red wine
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 large strips lemon rind, if available
• 2 sticks cinnamon, halved
• 4 slices ginger root
• ½ tsp. whole cloves
• ½ tsp. cardamom pods
• 4 whole star anise
• ¼ tsp. black peppercorns

Directions

Pour 6 cups of water into a large bowl and add lemon juice, f available. Peel pears, adding them to the bowl as you work. Work quickly to prevent excessive browning of pears.
Meanwhile, in a large heavy nonaluminum saucepan, dissolve sugar in wine and 3 cups water. Add ginger and cinnamon and rind, if using. In a small square of cheesecloth, tie up cloves, cardamom, anise and peppercorns. Add to pan and boil for 5 minutes.
Drain pears and add to pan. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pears are easily pierced with a knife. Remove pears with slotted spoon and divide between 3 2-cup canning jars.
Boil syrup for 10-12 minutes, skimming the top if necessary, and reduce to about 3 cups of liquid. Strain and divide between the 3 jars. Discard rind and ginger. Untie cheesecloth and divide spices and cinnamon between jars.
Run narrow spatula between pears and jar to release air bubbles. Add more liquid if needed to establish head space. Seal with prepared lids. Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Let cool. Makes 6 cups.