Peel the pears, remove the core, and chop the pears into 1-inch pieces.
In a saucepan, combine the chopped pears with the lemon juice, sugar and spices.
Bring to a simmer over medium low heat, and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes, until the pears are very soft. Gently mash the pears with a potato masher or a fork for a chunky texture.
Simmer uncovered for another 5-10 minutes, until some of the liquid has evaporated.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
If your pears aren't very juicy, you may need to add a little water as they simmer.
Store the compote in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze the compote for up to 3-6 months.
You can use any sweetener you like, including sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or other sweeteners.