AROMATIC SPICED PEARS
500 g granulated sugar
500 ml distilled vinegar
juice and rind 1 lemon
1 teaspoon allspice berries
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 small cinnamon sticks
1.3 kg hard pears
Put all the ingredients , except the pears , into a large pot . Heat gently until the sugar is dissolved , then bring to the boil for 5 minutes .
Meanwhile , peel and core the pears , slicing into quarters , halves or keeping whole depending on their size .
Add the pears to the vinegar mixture and gently poach until just tender – this can take from 5 – 20 minutes depending in their ripeness .
Remove with a slotted spoon as they become tender and then transfer to hot , sterilised jars .
Reduce the vinegar by a third , the pour over the pears , adding some of the whole spices for decoration . Cover the top of the pears with waxed paper to keep them submerged and seal with a vinegar – proof lid . Store in a cool , dark place for at least a month before eating .
Source: Country Living
Photo: Petro van Genderen
