Pear Butter

Ingredients:

• 10 large ripe pears quartered and cored 5 pounds
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps:

• Combine pears and water in a large dutch oven Cover and cook over medium-low heat 40 minutes or until pears are soft stirring occasionally Drain
• Press pears through a sieve or food mill
• Measure 1 quart of the pear puree and combine with remaining ingredients in a Dutch oven
• Cook over medium heat stirring frequently 15 minutes or until mixture thickens Remove from heat; skim off foam
• Quickly pour hot pear mixture into hot sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace; wipe jar rims Cover at once with lid and metal screw on bands
• Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes