Pear-Apple Butter - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 lbs pears, firm and ripe, peeled, quartered, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 10 pears)
2 tablespoons water
2 cups applesauce
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation

Put pears and water in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat about 20 minutes until pears are tender, stirring occasionally. Drain.
Process in 2 batches in food processor or blender until smooth. You will have about 4 cups puree.
Pour back into same saucepan. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover pot, leaving lid slightly ajar, and simmer about 1 hour until mixture is shiny and very thick, stirring often.
Spoon into clean hot jars. Cover tightly, cool and refrigerate.