Basic Witch_Witches of Salem

Alphita’s Honey and Sage Pear Jam

Ingredients:

8 lbs ripe pears, cored and peeled

3 lbs organic cane sugar

9 oz fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice

2 oz raw local honey

3 drops unfiltered apple cider vinegar

1 bunch fresh sage

Instructions:

Dice the pears into 1/4 inch pieces. Combine pear, sugar, and lemon juice in a large bowl, stirring to combine. Cover with parchment paper, weighing the paper down so it touches the surface of the mixture, and allow to macerate in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day, remove pear mixture from the refrigerator and transfer the contents of the bowl into a copper jam pan or large nonreactive pot, stirring well.

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring every few minutes. Cook until the mixture starts to thicken and the pears appear translucent, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer 1/3 of the mixture to a food processor. Puree, then transfer the pureed pears back into the pan with the remaining diced pears.

Continue to cook over medium high heat, stirring until the jam has thickened, about 15-20 minutes.

Stir in the honey and apple cider vinegar. Place the whole sage bunch into the jam, stirring gently to fold it into the mixture. Allow to cook for another five minutes, then remove the sage sprigs.

Preserve jam using a pressure canning system, or ladle into glass jars to store in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.