Pickled Pears

Pickled Pears Ingredients

4 slightly unripe, firm Bartlett pears3 1⁄2 cups apple cider vinegar4 cups cane sugar1 Tbs whole allspice berries10 cloves1 tsp whole peppercorns3 bay leaves3 cinnamon sticks1⁄2 tsp ground gingergrated peel of 1 orange1 small slice of a raw beet

Directions

1. Bring all ingredients except pears to a simmer in a meidium saucepan.2. Peel pears. Slice pears in half lengthwise and then the slice the halves lengthwise into 3 slices each making a total of 6 slices from each pear.3. Once the liquid and spices are simmering and the sugar is dissolved, add pears.4. Keep the pears on the stovetop in the pickling liquid for about 10 minutes, return to a simmer until the pears are slightly soft.5. Remove pears with a slotted spoon and place in a warm jar. We used old spaghetti sauce glass jars that we sterilized in the dishwasher and then brought back to a warm temperature by microwaving for 30 seconds.5. Once the liquid has cooled to just a slightly warm temperature, pour it over the pears in the jar, place the top on and refrigerate. The pears will keep for 2 weeks.