Pear Pickles

• 6 lbs pears, peeled,cored and halved
• 4 cups water
• 2 teaspoons fresh fruit, mixed with the water in a large glass bowl
• 1 teaspoon pickling spices
• 1 teaspoon clove (whole)
• 1 inch gingerroot
• 3 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar (thats at least 5 percent acidity)
• 1/2 cup lemon slice (thin-around 1 small lemon)

1. As you prepare the pears add them to the fruit fresh bath.
2. Tie pickling spice, cloves and ginger root in a spice bag.
3. Prepare liquid by combining the spice bags, sugar, water, vinegar and lemon slices in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan.
4. Bring to a boil, cover and boil gently for 5 min.
5. Transfer pears to pickling liquid to create a single layer.
6. Cook 7 minutes.
7. Remove and place in a large bowl.
8. Repeat until all pears are cooked.
9. When all the pears are cooked pour the pickling liquid over them.
10. Cover and let stand 12-18 hours-in a cool place.
11. Pack pears in clean hot jars-remove spice bags and bring liquid to a boil.
12. Pour over pears leaving 1/2 inch head space.
13. Seal and process 15 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.

water, fresh fruit, pickling spices, clove, gingerroot, white sugar, white vinegar, lemon slice

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/pear-pickles-9940 (may not work)