What to Do With Pears from a Pear Tree

As a gardener with a productive pear tree, you know the joy of harvesting a bountiful crop each fall. But you may also find yourself wondering what on earth to do with all those pears!

While it’s tempting to let the excess fruit rot on the ground, there are many great ways to use up pears when you have an overloaded tree. With some creativity in the kitchen, you can enjoy your homegrown pears all season long.

Harvesting Pears

Timing is important when picking pears. Unlike some other fruits, pears ripen off the tree once harvested. Leaving them on the branches too long results in a soft interior before the outside is ripe.

The best method is to gently lift the pear upward. If the stem breaks off easily, the pear is ready. If the stem doesn’t break, leave the pear to ripen further. Harvest times vary by pear variety, typically between August and October.

Storing Pears

Freshly picked pears last for several weeks when refrigerated below 40°F. Allow refrigerated pears to ripen at room temperature a few days before eating

You can also store ripe pears in the freezer. Simply core, slice, and freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet before transferring to bags. Use frozen pear slices for smoothies, baking, or snacking once thawed.

Eating Pears Fresh

When pears are perfectly ripe and juicy, enjoying them raw is hard to beat. Slice and eat them plain for a healthy snack. Or liven them up by

• Sprinkling with cinnamon or drizzling with honey
• Dicing and adding to salads
• Mixing into plain Greek yogurt
• Quickly grilling slices and serving with cheese
• Making a simple fruit salad with other fall fruits

Preserving Pears

Preserving allows you to enjoy delicious homegrown pears all year long. Popular methods include

• Canning pear slices in syrup
• Freezing and using for smoothies
• Drying slices or halves for snacking
• Simmering into thick, spreadable fruit butter
• Pickling into spiced rings or spears for charcuterie boards

Baking with Pears

Baking accentuates pears’ natural sweetness. They pair nicely with warm spices, nuts, citrus, and more. Try incorporating them into:

• Crisps, crumbles, or cobblers
• Muffins, quick breads, or tea cakes
• Hand pies with sugar, spices, and flaky crust
• Stuffed, baked pear halves with blue cheese and walnuts
• Poached pears in red wine for an elegant dessert

Cooking with Pears

While we often use pears in sweets, they also add pleasant flavor to savory dishes. Add diced or sautéed pears to:

• Pork, chicken, or duck entrees
• Hearty fall salads and slaws
• Risottos, pilafs, or oatmeal
• Stuffed acorn squash or baked squash halves
• Sandwiches, bruschetta, or flatbreads with cheese

Juices and Drinks

The natural sweetness of pear juice enhances beverages like:

• Smoothies, shakes, and lassis
• Spritzers with soda water and mint
• Mulling spices simmered with apple cider
• Infused liquor such as pear vodka or rum
• Fresh fruit agua fresca with lemon, ginger, and honey

Simple Pear Desserts

Pears require minimal prep but lend an elegant touch to easy desserts. Bake them into:

• Individual tarts or crumbles
• Layered trifles or parfaits
• Free-form galettes with pie dough
• Toppings for cheesecake or panna cotta
• Quick sautés in butter and sugar

Using Pear Scraps

Don’t throw away those peelings, cores, and scraps after preparing pears! Transform them into:

• Pear sauce simmered in the slow cooker
• Dried, ground pear powder for baking
• Strained juice as a substitute for apple juice
• Infused vodka or other liquor
• Substitute for candied ginger in recipes

With so many ways to use up your pear bounty, there’s no reason to let any go to waste. A little creativity in the kitchen goes a long way to enjoying fresh pears at their seasonal best.