In the heart of autumn, as the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, I find inspiration in the bounty of seasonal fruits. One afternoon, while wandering through the local farmer’s market, I stumbled upon a pile of perfectly ripe pears. Their sweet aroma and tender skin beckoned me to create something special. Thus, the idea for Spiced Pear and Cardamom Preserves was born—a delightful concoction that captures the essence of fall in each jar.
These preserves, with their warm spices and luscious pear flavor, are perfect for slathering on toast, dolloping on yogurt, or even as a filling for pastries. Each time I make them, I’m reminded of cozy evenings spent with friends, sharing stories and laughter over homemade bread and a jar of my beloved preserves.
Ingredients
6 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch
Instructions
Begin by preparing the pears. Make sure they are ripe yet firm, as this will give your preserves the perfect texture. In a large pot, combine the diced pears, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, salt, and water. Stir gently to coat the pears with the sugar and spices.
Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes. The pears will soften and the mixture will begin to thicken. If you like a chunkier preserve, you can mash some of the pears with a fork to your desired consistency.
Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. If you’re adding nuts for an extra crunch, now is the time to fold them in gently.
To preserve the goodness, ladle the hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Seal the jars tightly and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure they are shelf-stable.
After processing, let the jars cool completely at room temperature. The preserves can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year, though I doubt they’ll last that long! Every time you open a jar, you’ll be transported back to those golden autumn days, savoring the warmth and comfort of homemade goodness.
Enjoy your Spiced Pear and Cardamom Preserves on warm scones, mixed into oatmeal, or simply by the spoonful as a sweet reminder of the season!