How to Make Pear Relish

For a delicious complement to your main courses, make pear relish. This tasty condiment is a southern staple that goes well with everything from a standing pork roast to hot dogs. Pear relish is a wonderful accompaniment for pinto beans, black-eyed peas, butter beans or any other vegetable you enjoy. Once you try this savory blend of pears, peppers, onions and spices you will want to serve it often.

Things You'll Need

• 10 firm pears (about 3 lbs.), peeled and chopped
• 2 medium Vidalia onions, peeled and chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• Jalapeño peppers (optional)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 ½ tsp. salt
• 1 ½ tsp. pickling spices (optional)
• 1 ½ tsp. turmeric (optional)
• Knife
• Pot
• Food processor (optional)
• Large mixing spoon

Instructions

1. Chop pears, onion and peppers into fine pieces or process in a food processor, making sure not to liquefy them.

2. Place the chopped pears, onions and peppers into a pot. Add more peppers or onions or more spices if desired. If you'd like the relish extra spicy, add jalapeño peppers to taste.

3. Add the sugar, vinegar, salt, pickling spice and turmeric.

4. Bring the mixture to a boil making sure to stir often.

5. Lower the temperature to a medium heat and cook approximately 40 minutes or until the pears, peppers and onions are soft in texture.

6. Serve your pear relish warm or cold.

Tips & Warnings

• Hard pears, such as Kiefer, sand and pineapple pears make excellent choices for preparing pear relish. If these types of pears are not available, substitute any type of pear.

• Pear relish makes a great dipping sauce for Oriental foods.

• Mix some pear relish into your barbecue sauce for a new taste.