Spiced Pear Spread

Begin by placing the pears in a large cooking vessel over medium heat; add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot and prevent the pears from adhering, approximately 1/2 cup. Allow them to cook until they reach a tender state, roughly 30 minutes.

Next, extract the pear pulp by passing it through a fine-mesh sieve or food processor. Measure out 2 quarts of the resulting pulp.

In a separate saucepan, combine the pear pulp and sugar; stir until the sugar is fully incorporated. Introduce orange zest, nutmeg, and orange juice into the mixture; cook over medium heat until the concoction reaches a thick, spoonable consistency. During this process, frequently stir the mixture to prevent scorching on the bottom of the pan.

Once the desired consistency is achieved, ladle the pear butter into hot, sterile jars, leaving a 1/4 inch gap between the filling and the rim of the jar. Remove any air bubbles by gently scraping them away with a metal spatula, ensuring the pear butter makes contact with the glass. Clean the jar rims and seal them with lids and rings.

Finally, subject the jars to a 10-minute boiling water bath; ensure that the water level covers the jars by at least 1 inch. Consult with your local agricultural extension for specific processing times tailored to your region.