Pickled Pears - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 lbs pears, peeled,cored and halved
4 cups water
2 teaspoons fruit fresh or 2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon pickling spices
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 (1 inch) piece gingerroot
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1/2 large lemon, cut into thin slices

Preparation

Soak pears in water& fruit fresh/lemon juice to keep from browning.
Tie pickling spice, ginger and cloves in a spice bag.
Prepare liquid-combine spice bag, sugar, water, vinegar and lemon slices in a large stainless or enamel pot.
Bring to a boil, cover and boil for 5 min.
Add enough pears to create a single layer in liquid and poach for 7 min-drain with slotted spoon and place in a large bowl.
Repeat until all pears are poached.
Pour the liquid over poached pears, cover and let stand 18-24 hours in a cool spot.
Remove pears and discard spice bag and lemons.
Bring liquid to a boil.
Pack pears into clean, hot jars.
Pour boiling liquid to cover leaving 1/2 inch head space.
Remove bubbles and seal.
Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.