Maria’s Jam [Pear, Apple, Brown Sugar & Ginger] — part of the Friendship Series

**FRIENDSHIP SERIES!**

Meet Maria; the inspiration for our first Friendship Series Jam:

Maria Gentile…

I met Maria over 20 years ago, one night when I stumbled into the Duplex Piano Bar in NYC, looking for a cocktail and some piano bar fun after seeing a show…. Maria was behind the bar; I recognized her from “Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding”… we hit it off immediately, I stayed the rest of the night there, we chatted each other up till the bar closed, we grabbed a slice afterwards, and we’ve been thick as thieves ever since…

Maria is full of life; warm, generous, full of heart and love, and has this way of making you feel special — and she has a talent that just cannot be denied; she is such a gift, and I am blessed to have her in my life… when I queried her about her favorite fruits and flavors, I took that information, and keeping her, and my feelings for her in mind while I was playing around in the kitchen, I came up with this concoction — Pears & Apples, simmered slowly in Pear Juice and Fresh Ginger.  Then I added Dark Brown Sugar and holiday spices; and I am so pleased with the results!  Maria’s favorites, cooked up in a way that reminds me of her… Maria’s Jam — Give it a try!!

NOTE: An introduction to this jam can be found HERE on YouTube.