Pear and Lemon Jam Recipe
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Jam Jelly and Preserves | 152 comments
A pear hanging on our pear tree
I spent ages trying to find a recipe for pear jam without success. One day moseying in the recipe section of Waitrose, I spotted a copy of the best selling Italian cook book The Silver Spoon
I made an excellent jam, not too sweet. A lemony taste with tiny explosions of pear. Everyone that tasted it wanted the recipe. It’s our favourite jam, good for breakfast or with a mild soft cheese.
The problem was that I hadn’t written the recipe down and wasn’t sure of the volume of water. When I returned to Waitrose “The Silver Spoon” was no longer on the shelves. Finding the book became a real mission. I saw it advertised on hoardings in the London tube but never found it in a shop. One happy day, I saw “The Silver Spoon”, twinkling from the supermarket shelves. I snapped it up and rushed home.
I was astonished to find that water was not an ingredient of the jam! I tried several versions, with different amounts of water, and this is by far the best.
| Pear and Lemon Jam Recipe |
- 2 kilos (4 and 1/2 pounds) of pears, peeled, cored and chopped
- 3 medium lemons (strained juice and zest)
- 1 kilo (5 and 1/4 cups) of granulated jam sugar
- 250ml water
Method
- Prepare the pears and place in a large covered bowl, to stop them browning.
- Remove the zest from the lemons carefully to avoid adding the bitter pith. Set zest aside.
- Squeeze the lemon juice and strain.
- Add the water, chopped pears, lemon zest and juice to a large heavy bottomed saucepan.
- Simmer very gently until the pears are just soft.
- Pour in the sugar and stir over a medium/low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- Bring the heat up to a rolling boil (what is a rolling boil? See Tricks and tips below).
- Allow to boil hard for ten minutes before testing for a set.
- If it has not reached setting point (what is setting point? See Tricks and tips below) continue to boil rapidly, checking for a set every four minutes or so (set the timer for this).
- When the jam has set remove from the heat.
- Allow the jam to stand for a few minutes and pour into warmed sterilised jars (how do I sterilise jars? See Tricks and tips below).
- Cover with screw top lids or wax disks and cellophane tops.
- Label when cold.
- Store in a cool dry place.
Tricks and tips:
Jam set or ‘setting point’
Getting the right set can be tricky. I have tried using a jam thermometer but find it easier to use the following method.
Before you start to make the jam, put a couple of plates in the fridge so that the warm jam can be drizzled onto a cold plate (when we make jam we often forget to return the plate to the fridge between tests, using two plates means that you have a spare cold plate).
Return the plate to the fridge to cool for approx two minutes.
It has set when you run your finger through it and leave a crinkly track mark.
If after a few minutes the cooled jam is too liquid, continue to boil the jam, testing it every few minutes until you have the right set.
The jam is far more delicious if it is slightly runny.
There are other indicators the the jam is setting, the jam will start to coat the back of the spoon and the sides of the saucepan.
Sterilising the jars
We collect jars all year round for our jelly, chutney and jam making sessions. I try to soak off labels and store the clean jars and metal plastic coated lids in an accessible place.
The sterilising method that we used is simple. Just before making the jam, I quickly wash and rinse the jars and place them upside down in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 160c (320F) 140c fan assisted).
When the oven has reached the right temperature I turn off the heat. The jars will stay warm for quite a while.
I only use plastic lined lids for preserves as the all-metal lids can go rusty. I boil these for five minutes in water to sterilise them. If I use Le Parfait jars, I do the same with the rubber rings.
What is a rolling boil?
This is when you boil your jam (or jelly) continuously, very hard. This gradually evaporates the water, enabling the jam to set.
Leave a reply
I am enjoying your lovely selection of recipes. I will be making your pear jam recipe tomorrow. I also enjoyed your suggested books for reading and cooking. Thanks!
Hi there!
I made jam on Monday using your recipe (with Bartletts, I think?) and it turned out really great! It has a lovely caramelized colour and flavour which is lightly accented by the lemon and zest. It’s thick and honey-like, with the wonderful graininess of dried pears. And the pear chunks are like candy! (I am eating a spoonful out of the jar right now!)
One thing I’d warn others about: once it starts to thicken it spatters quite a bit, which makes the floor sticky but more importantly, is molten-lava hot! So be sure to wear a long-sleeved top, use an oven mitt while stirring, wear socks/shoes and cover the floor with newspaper.
Thanks for posting such a great and easy recipe! 🙂
Hi
don’t know if you have tried to warm your sugar in the oven before adding to your pear mixture.
Looking forward to trying this jam sounds delicious
June
Hi Chrystal
Great that you are going to try the pear jam. The plum chutney is here https://www.cottagesmallholder.com/?p=70
hi, i never thought i would find pear jam, going to do it tomorrow, sounds delicious, where is apple and plum chutney recipe regards chrystal
Hi Poppy
Apologies, I missed your comment.
Preserving sugar tends to give a synthetic taste. As the pear and lemon flavours are delicate it could ruin the jam.
Hi Carolyn
The pears need to be soft and ripe for this recipe. Hard pears sound perfect for our Belgian Pear recipe – which is evcellent and so easy! https://www.cottagesmallholder.com/?p=101
hi, I have been given some pears but they are all pretty hard- too hard for eating. I notice you say the pears should be ripe, does this mean the recipe won’t work with the rock hard pears I’vw got? By the way, I made the plum and apple chutney yesterday and can’t wait to see how it’s revived. Thanks for your help
I am keen to make this recipe as last year I made a pear chutney with our pears from the garden…Normally my chutneys ‘fly of the pantry shelf’ but sadly I think this chutney was a little too tart. I was wondering what you would think if I used preserving sugar rather than many lemons and consequently if the recipe would work?
I would appreciate your thoughts!
Hi Vishakha
The lemon is added as it is high in pectin and helps the jam to set.
Here are two useful links regarding fruit and pectin
http://www.jamworld.co.uk/pec.html
http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/encyclopaedia!openframeset&frame=Right&Src=/edible.nsf/Pages/pectin!opendocument