a day in the life of a latvian mom

Basket Full of Pears: Juice and Jam for Winter

Autumn brings an abundance of fruit, and this year, I was lucky enough to get a basket full of juicy pears from Janis’s parents. They looked so perfect and succulent that I couldn’t resist turning them into something special. Using a juice steamer, I made fresh pear juice and then transformed the leftover pulp into a delectable pear jam, infused with cinnamon, clove, and citrus zest. Here’s how you can replicate this process and enjoy the fruits of the season-long into winter.

As you might remember I spent Sunday processing apples, you can read here: A Fun Apple Adventure: From Party to Winter Storage

Extracting Pear Juice

To start, you’ll need a juice steamer, which makes extracting juice from fruits like pears simple and efficient. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Wash and Cut Pears: Wash the pears thoroughly. If they have any blemishes or spots, cut those out. You don’t need to peel them. Chop the pears into quarters. There’s no need to remove the cores.
2. Steam the Pears: Place the pears into the top section of your juice steamer. Make sure that the bottom section has water, as this will create the steam needed to extract the juice.
3. Collect the Juice: Check the progress through the spigot on the bottom of the steamer. Allow the juice to flow until it runs clear, indicating that most of the fruit’s liquid has been extracted.
4. Collect the Juice: My grandmother and mom always filled the juice in the bottles while it was still hot. Then seal it and let it cool. No need for extra processing.

Making Pear Jam

With your pear juice bottled, you can now turn the remaining pulp into a rich, flavorful pear jam. Here’s a simple recipe for an exotic pear jam with a hint of warmth and citrus:

Ingredients:

• All the pear pulp (about 6 cups) (from your juice extraction meshed through the sieve)
• 4 cups granulated sugar (adjust sweetness to personal preference, but to store it for winter you need at least 4 cups to about 6 cups pear pulp)
• Juice and Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice and Zest of 1 orange
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 5 whole clove

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pulp: In a large saucepan, combine the pear pulp with the lemon and orange juices, and their zests. Stir to mix.
2. Add Sugar and Spices: Add the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and clove to the mixture. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
3. Cook the Jam: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-20 minutes, or until the jam thickens and reaches the desired consistency. To test, place a small amount on a chilled plate; if it sets, it’s ready.
4. Jar the Jam: While the jam is still hot, pour it into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. Seal with sterilized lids.
5. Cool and Store: Allow the jars to cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place. Your pear jam should be ready to enjoy throughout the winter!

This pear jam, with its aromatic blend of spices and citrus, makes a perfect gift or a delightful treat for yourself. Enjoy the taste of autumn all year round with these homemade pear preserves!

I hope you enjoy making this pear jam as much as I did! If you have any questions or want to share your own pear recipes, feel free to leave a comment below.

I love the pear juice with a slice of lemon.

Warm wishes,

Ilze