Pick Your Own Pears

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Pears

Pears are one of the world's oldest cultivated and most beloved fruits. In The Odyssey, the Greek poet laureate Homer lauds pears as a "gift of the gods”. Early colonists brought the first pear trees to America's eastern settlements. Pears rank second to the apple as the most popular fruit. They can be eaten and used in the same way as the apple. Softer in texture than the apple, its unique shape reflects its luscious nature. Pear picking is a great family friendly activity!

Season

Late August - Late September

Choosing

Pears do not ripen well on trees. They are harvested when they are mature but unripe and need to be ripened after harvest. Bartlett pears change from green to yellow as they ripen. Non-Bartlett pears (Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Concorde, Seckel and Forelle) do not dramatically change color as they ripen. Because pears ripen from the inside out, the best way to check for ripeness is to "check the neck.” Gently press near the stem with your thumb. When it gives to gentle pressure it is ripe, juicy, and ready to eat. If you wait until the pear is soft around the middle, it will be overripe.

Ripening

Pears need to ripen at room temperature, so leave them on the kitchen counter or dining room table to enjoy their beauty as they ripen. Placing pears in a paper bag will help them ripen faster. Be sure to check daily so they don't get overripe. Add apples or bananas to speed up the process. All ripening fruit give off ethylene, so more ethylene in the air around the pear will help speed ripening.

Storing

Choosing Pears do not ripen well on trees. They are harvested when they are mature but unripe and need to be ripened after harvest. Bartlett pears change from green to yellow as they ripen. Non-Bartlett pears (Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Concorde, Seckel and Forelle) do not dramatically change color as they ripen. Because pears ripen from the inside out, the best way to check for ripeness is to "check the neck.” Gently press near the stem with your thumb. When it gives to gentle pressure it is ripe, juicy, and ready to eat. If you wait until the pear is soft around the middle, it will be overripe. Ripening Pears need to ripen at room temperature, so leave them on the kitchen counter or dining room table to enjoy their beauty as they ripen. Placing pears in a paper bag will help them ripen faster. Be sure to check daily so they don't get overripe. Add apples or bananas to speed up the process. All ripening fruit give off ethylene, so more ethylene in the air around the pear will help speed ripening. Storing Ripened pears can be utilized right away or refrigerated to slow further ripening. As they ripen, pears can be arranged in a fruit bowl for display.

Freezing

We don't recommend freezing fresh pears that have not been processed. The juice and fibers will separate in the thawing process, and the results are not at all desired. However, freezing a cooked or processed pear (such as pear sauce) to which sugar has been added will work. Pear pie fillings can also be pre-baked and frozen. Make sure the pears are in a tightly sealed container prior to freezing to help reduce freezer burn and the growth of microorganisms. Wash and peel pears. Cut in halves and remove cores. Slice, if desired. To prevent discoloration, keep pears in an ascorbic acid solution (a solution of 3 grams (3,000 milligrams) ascorbic acid to 1 gallon of cold water). Prepare a very light, light, or medium syrup or pack pears in apple juice, white grape juice, or water.

Tips

1. Leave firm, unripe pears at room temperature to ripen. 2. Check the neck for ripeness daily, by applying gentle pressure to the neck, or stem end, of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to pressure, then it’s ripe and ready to eat! 3. Once the pear is ripe, it can be refrigerated to slow the ripening process and saved for use up to five days later.

Featured Recipes

August 31, 2020

Sweet Pear Fritters

Ingredients: 2 diced bartlett pears 1/2 cup brown sugar 1tsp cinnamon ⅛ tsp nutmeg 2 eggs 2 cups All Purpose Flour ½ tsp salt 2 tsp vanilla extract ¾ cup milk 2 tbsp Melted butter 2 tsp baking powder Directions: Combine the milk eggs and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth. […]

August 31, 2020

Lyman’s Stuffed Pears

Ingredients: 4 bosc Pears (core out the center) 1 cup Blue cheese (crumbled) 1 cup sliced almonds ¼ cup fine chopped vidalia onion 3 garlic cloves minced 1 tsp worcestershire sauce ¼ tsp fresh chopped sage Directions: Preheat the oven to 375f. Place the pears standing upright in a greased muffin pan. Combine the remaining […]

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