Greek Recipes

Greek and Cypriot recipes

Pear Spoon Sweet – Greek Pear Preserves

Traditionally, one is offered something sweet upon arrival in a Greek home. Greek hosts keep a supply of spoon sweets or preserves on hand that are made from almost any fruit or nut you can imagine. If there is an abundance of fruit on the trees, you can be sure that the bounty will be preserved and enjoyed year round.

These delicious sweet pears are perfect over creamy Greek yogurt or simply enjoyed on their own.

Pear Spoon Sweet - Greek Pear Preserves

Pear Spoon Sweet – Greek Pear Preserves

Note: This recipe requires that you allow the pears to remain in their cooking liquid overnight so please plan accordingly.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. pears
  • 2 lbs. sugar
  • 2-1/2 cups water
  • 2 lemons
  • Whole cloves

Preparation:

  • If the pears are tiny you can leave them whole. Otherwise, cut them in half or quarters depending on the size of the pear you are using.
  • To a large bowl of water, add the juice of one lemon. Peel and cut the pears as needed and place them in the lemon water to prevent them from browning.
  • Stud each pear with a whole clove and place in a large pot. Add the water and boil for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, add the sugar and the zest of one lemon, in strips. Boil for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and allow the pears to sit in the cooking liquid for 24 hours.
  • The next day, add the juice of the other lemon to the pot and simmer uncovered over medium low heat for about 2 hours or until the syrup begins to thicken. The liquid will foam a bit so you will need to skim the foam from the top of the syrup from time to time.
  • When the liquid has thickened to a syrup consistency, remove from heat and allow preserves to cool before serving.

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