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Pear-Star Anise Butter

Source of Recipe

From "The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving"


Recipe Introduction

"Star anise adds a unique burst of flavor to pears cooked down into this scrumptious butter. Wonderful as a glaze for a roast, stirred into hot cereal on a winter day, or use as a delicious spread on sandwiches."

List of Ingredients

◦ 3 � pounds firm, ripe d'Anjou pears, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped (6 � cups)
◦ 2 tablespoons orange zest
◦ � cup fresh orange juice
◦ ⅓ cup water
◦ 1 � tablespoons lemon zest
◦ 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
◦ 2 cups sugar
◦ � teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
◦ 4 star anise


Recipe

Bring first six ingredients to a boil in a large stainless steel or enameled saucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes or until pears are soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly (about 5 minutes).

Place pear mixture in a food processor; pulse 12 times or until coarsely pur�ed.

Bring pear pur�e, sugar, and nutmeg to a boil in same pan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes or until mixture is thickened and holds its shape on a spoon.

Place 1 star anise into a hot jar. Spoon hot mixture into jar, leaving � inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band and adjust to fingertip-tight. Repeat until all jars are filled.

Process jars 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat; remove lid, and let jars stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

Makes about 4 (�-pint) jars