Chunky Vanilla Pear Jam Food

APPLE OR PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, cover fruit and any add-ins (see note) with 4 cups/960 milliliters of water. Bring to a strong simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until water is reduced by about 3/4, and fruit is soft and tender (or even falling apart slightly), 20 to 30 minutes.
• Add sugar and continue to cook, stirring occasionally at first and more frequently as the jam cooks and juices thicken until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has really started to break down, another 30 to 40 minutes.
• As the jam cooks, the liquid reduces, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles: This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing any chance of the fruit burning.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• When the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and incorporate any of the add-ins and continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam has returned to its previously thickened state, about another 5 minutes. At this stage, the jam should look like a coarse, shiny applesauce. But if you'd really like to be sure, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it doesn't, cook it a few minutes more.
• Using a spoon or other utensil, pick out any spices or vanilla beans. Divide between jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space from the top of the jar, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them up within a couple of weeks.

PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Mix pears, fruit pectin, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a large heavy pot; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add sugar all at once, stirring, and bring back to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute. Mix in butter to settle foam.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the pear jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

CHUNKY VANILLA PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Peel, quarter and core the pears. Chop them in small cubes and toss them in a bowl with the lemon zest and lemon juice. Set aside.
• In a large heavy saucepan combine the apple juice concentrate with the vanilla bean and the water. Boil it over moderate heat for 10 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and add the pears and their liquid.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over moderate heat and cook, stirring frequently, about 45 minutes, or until the mixture thickens enough to hold its shape on a spoon and has reached nearly 220 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Spoon the jam into sterilized jars and seal, or refrigerate when cool.

PEAR VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Peel, core and quarter the pears. (While you're doing this, add the cut pieces to a large bowl of water with some lemon juice squeezed in, to prevent darkening.).
• Drain the pears, and transfer them to the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse them a few times. You're looking to get them chopped, not to puree them.
• Grate a couple pinches of fresh nutmeg over the sugar.
• Add the pears, sugar, and lemon juice to a large pot, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Simmer 40 minutes. You may have to stir frequently to prevent burning.
• Remove the mixture from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Spoon into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Wipe the jar rims and adjust the lids.
• Process in boiling water for 10 minutes.

VANILLA PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Prepare your work area, canner, jars, and lids. See preparing jars for canning and boiling water processing .
• Bring a large canning kettle of water to a boil with the jars and have it simmering over low heat.
• *To prepare vanilla sugar, put the 5 cups of sugar in a large bowl. Slice two vanilla beans down the side and scrape seeds into the sugar. Bury the pods in the sugar, cover tightly, and let stand for at least 2 days, stirring a few times. Remove the pods and use the sugar in the recipe.
• Put lemon juice in a 6- to 8-quart stainless steel or enamel-lined (with no chips) pan. As you chop the pears, measure them into the lemon juice and toss to coat, so they won't turn color.
• Combine the pectin with 1/4 cup of the sugar and stir into the pear mixture. Add the butter, if using. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Gradually add the vanilla sugar, stirring constantly. Bring back to a full rolling boil and continue boiling, stirring, for 1 full minute.
• Skim foam and ladle into the hot prepared jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.
• Wipe rims of jars with a damp towel and fit with the hot prepared lids.
• Screw on bands to fingertip tightness. Do not overtighten.
• Lower the filled jars into the hot simmering water, adding more water if needed to bring it at least 1 inch above the jar tops and cover the pan. Bring to a full boil and continue boiling for 10 minutes.
• Remove the cover and turn off the heat. Let the jars stay in the hot water for 5 minutes before removing to a towel or rack.
• Enjoy!

SPICED VANILLA PEAR JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Sterilize jars and lids. Place a small plate in the freezer so you can test the jam for proper thickness later.
• Peel, core, and chop pears finely. You can also puree them in a food processor, depending on the texture you want your jam to have. In a large bowl combine pears and lemon juice. Toss until pears are well coated with lemon juice.
• In non-reactive pot, add juice concentrate and water. Use a butter knife to scrape the tiny beans from the inside of the vanilla pod, and toss the beans and empty pod into the pot. Bring to boil over medium heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Discard vanilla pod.
• Add pears, cinnamon, cardamom, and optional vanilla extract to the pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring often to ensure the fruit does not stick or burn to the bottom of the pot. When mixture thickens, after about 45-50 minutes, test for doneness by spreading 1/2 teaspoon of cooked fruit on the cold plate and place it back in the freezer. Wait 30 seconds, then run your finger through the fruit. It should be thick enough to not run all over the plate, but remember that jams made without sweetener will not gel the same as standard jams. Here, the jam should just stick to the plate without being runny.
• Optional : If you prefer a more gelled jam, add 1 package plus 20% of another package of no-sugar pectin once jam is done. Use a whisk to mix the jam to ensure there are no clumps of pectin. Return the jam to a boil and stir constantly for exactly 1 minute, then remove from heat.
• Ladle the jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch of headroom, and process the jars in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.

PEAR JAM WITH VANILLA BOURBON AND CINNAMON

Steps:

• BRING boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• PEEL and core pears. Finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 8 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-quart saucepot. Stir in lemon juice and add butter to reduce foaming.
• Bring to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly until pears are tender. Break up tender pears with a masher.
• Stir in pectin. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. ADD sugar, cinnamon and vanilla bourbon; stir. Bring to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• LADLE immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches.
• Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.).

SPICED PEAR JAM

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until thick, 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir more frequently as the mixture thickens. , Remove from the heat; skim off foam. Carefully ladle into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner.

SPICED PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Add all the ingredients to a dutch oven.
• Bring mixture to a boil and stir constantly.
• Lower the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 2 hours or until thickened.
• Skim off foam with a metal spoon.
• Pour immediately into hot sterilized jars, filling to about 1/4 inch from the top.
• Remove air bubbles and wipe jar rims.
• Cover quickly with metal lids and screw on bands.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

CHUNKY VANILLA PEAR JAM

Steps:

• Peel, quarter and core the pears.
• Chop them in small cubes and toss them in a bowl with the lemon zest and lemon juice. Set aside.
• In a large heavy saucepan combine the apple juice concentrate with the vanilla bean and the water.
• Boil it over moderate heat for 10 minutes.
• Remove the vanilla bean and add the pears and their liquid.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over moderate heat and cook, stirring frequently, about 45 minutes, or until the mixture thickens enough to hold its shape on a spoon and has reached nearly 220 degrees F. on a candy thermometer.
• Spoon the jam into prepared jars leaving a 1/4" headspace.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Adjust time according to your altitude.