MEME'S PEAR CHOW-CHOW

Meme's Pear Chow-Chow image

Yield makes 4 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 9

One peck (12 1/2 pounds) pears, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced
2 1/2 onions, preferably Vidalia, chopped
2 green bell peppers, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped
2 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar
1 pound sugar (scant 2 1/2 cups)
2 teaspoons pickling salt (see page 300)
2 teaspoons pickling spices
2 teaspoons ground turmeric

Steps:

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, working in batches, combine the pears, onions, and bell peppers, and pulse until ground but still slightly chunky. Place the mixture in a large, nonreactive pot and stir to combine.
Add the vinegar, sugar, pickling salt, pickling spices, and turmeric and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat. Decrease the heat to low and simmer until thick, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, sterilize four 1-quart canning jars and lids in boiling water, following the manufacturer's instructions (or see Boiling-Water Canning, page 279). Remove the jars from the water and place upside down to drain on the prepared rack. Remove the lids from the water and dry with a clean towel. Turn the sterilized jars right side up on the rack, using tongs or a kitchen towel to protect your hands. When they are cool enough to handle, dry them with a clean towel. Set aside.
Fill the hot jars according to the procedure for Raspberry Jam (page 289), leaving 1/4 inch of headroom, and process them in a boiling-water canner for 10 minutes. Store the unopened jars at room temperature for up to 1 year. Once the jars are opened, store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
variation
For refrigerator preserves, skip the boiling-water canner and refrigerate for up to 1 month.