Pears Exotica

Instructions

1. Prepare jars, lids and bands.
2. Peel, halve and core pears.
3. Place in a color protection solution made of 4 Tbsp Fruit Fresh dissolved in 8 cups water, if desired.
4. Set aside.
5. With vegetable peeler remove the zest from lemons in a continuous spiral; cut into 4 pieces.
6. Squeeze lemon juice.
7. In a large stainless steel saucepan combine sugar, water, vinegar and lemon juice.
8. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
9. Drain pears and add to syrup; cook mixture until liquid returns to a boil and pears are heated through.
10. Place 1 strip lemon peel, 1 bay leaf, 3 pink and 3 green peppercorns in a hot jar.
11. Pack hot pears snugly into prepared jars leaving a 3/4 inch headspace.
12. Pour 1/4 cup of brandy over pears.
13. Add hot syrup to cover pears leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.
14. Using nonmetallic utensil, remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if equired, by adding more pears, spices and hot syrup.
15. Process filled jars for 20 minutes in a boiling water bath.
16. Adjust time according to your altitude.