7 lbs. cooking pears
2 c. vinegar
4 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
2 sticks cinnamon, broken
1 tbsp. whole cloves
1 lemon, sliced & seeded

Peel and core pears and cut in half. Immediately place in cold water to which a little lemon juice has been added to prevent turning dark. Combine all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes, then add drained pears. Reduce heat and simmer until pears are tender and can be pierced with a straw. Place pears in jars. Continue boiling syrup 10 minutes and pour over pears, including some spices in each jar. Seal. Red or green food coloring may be added to jars if pears are to be used for Christmas. Yield: about 6 pints.