Canned Pear Cranberry Pie - A perfect pairing for filling

Inspiration is one of the best gifts that my Facebook friends have given me. Renee, a great lady who in her own life has some food challenges gave me an idea for making a pie filling that was out of the ordinary.  Renee doesn't eat apples and cinnamon so the traditional pie filling was out for her to can, but pears are great. A combination that worked for her was Pears and since cranberries have been the height of conversation, we all said go for it! Here is the pie filling that I did inspired by my new friend Renee!

Pear Cranberry Pie Filling

2 lbs pears (6 cups sliced)
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup Clear Jel®  
1 cup cold water 
1 1/2 cup apple juice (pear or white grape could also be used)
4 T. bottled lemon juice
1/4 t. Nutmeg or Allspice

Quality: Use firm pears. 
Yield: 2 quarts
Procedure:
Wash, peel, and core pears. Prepare slices 1/2-inch wide and place in water containing ascorbic acid to prevent browning. Boil water and add each batch of pears then cranberries for 1 minute after the water returns to a boil. Drain but keep heated fruit in a covered bowl or pot. Combine sugar, Clear Jel® and spice in a large kettle with water and apple juice. Stir and cook on medium high heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Fold in drained pears slices and cranberries immediately and fill hot jar with mixture without delay, leaving 1 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed. Wipe rims of jar with a dampened clean paper towel. Adjust lid and process immediately.

Process in water bath for 25 minutes at a full boil.

You can now purchase Clear Jel (Non-GMO)  from
SB Canning Store... click here

Donna did a variation on this recipe by substituting raisins for the cranberries to create a Pear Raisin Pie filling. I think it turned out fantastic!