Ginger just goes with pears. It is sort of the nutmeg/pumpkin or the peanut butter/chocolate of pears. This conserve keeps nicely in the refrigerator and makes a beautiful gift–if you don’t eat it all yourself first.
Ginger and Pear Conserve
3 lbs winter pears (about two dozen)
2 tablespoons grated orange rind
2 oranges, peeled, seeded, and chopped fine
1- 2 tablespoons chopped/ground fresh ginger (I buy the pre-ground fresh-ish jars from the produce section)
1/2 cup honey or 1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Wash, peel, core and slice pears. Combine pears, orange rind, ginger, honey and lemon juice and bring slowly to simmer in a covered saucepan. Cook until pears are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring occassionally until desired consistency is reached.
Pour into hot, scalded half-pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace and seal. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.
