1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 ounces fresh ginger, peeled and cut into 1/8-by-1 inch strips

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pinch of salt

2 pounds firm pears, such as Bosc, peeled and cut into 1/3-inch dice

3/4 pound fresh cranberries (about 3.5 cups), picked over

1. In a nonreactive medium saucepan, combine the sugar, vinegar, ginger, cayenne and salt and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Cook until the ginger begins to wilt a bit. Add the pears, cover and cook until they are crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Strain and transfer the pears to a bowl. Return the liquid to the pan.

2. Add the cranberries to the liquid. Cover and cook over moderate heat until the berries just begin to pop, about 3 minutes. Strain into a bowl and add the cranberries to the pears. Return the liquid to the pan and boil over moderately high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cranberry mixture and let cool. (The chutney can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 3 days.) Serve chilled or at room temperature.