PRESERVE THE HARVEST SERIES: LET’S TALK PEARS
Preserve the Harvest Series presents a new fruit or vegetable every Tuesday with the goal of helping you get the most out of fresh fruits and vegetables harvested during peak season. Whether you grow your own fruits and vegetables, buy them at the Farmer’s Market or your local grocery store, it is good to remember the best time to preserve your bounty is when it is plentiful. Preserving the harvest stocks your pantry shelves and freezer with whole foods that you can feel good about, foods that taste great, and this approach saves you money. A sane approach to sustainability! Next up…pears and Spiced Ginger Pear Butter.
LET’S TALK PEARS
WHEN TO BUY PEARS
The best time to buy pears is late August through October depending on the area you live in. Warmer climates will have pears available earlier and cooler climates have pears that mature later in the season.
WHERE TO BUY PEARS
When buying pears it is best to buy local. The best tasting pears are those that have been picked prior to maturity. Pears that have been left to ripen too long on a tree tend to be grainy and/or mushy. Just the opposite of most fruits where staying on the tree until maturity is more beneficial.
HOW TO CHOOSE PEARS
Pears are the one fruit that tastes better when picked prior to maturity. Pears ripen from the inside out, if your pear is soft on the outside it is already too ripe. To tell if a pear is ripe, gently apply pressure at the edge of the stem. If the pear gives slightly it is partially ripe and perfect for poaching, roasting and baking. If the area easily yields to pressure but doesn’t feel mushy it is ready to eat or puree into sauces.
Pears should also be pleasantly aromatic with a fresh sweet smell. Organic pears will have the best taste.
STORING PEARS
Store pears at room temperature until ripe. To hasten ripening place in a paper bag or leave in a cool place covered with a towel. Once ripened, place in the refrigerator where the pears will keep for up to a week.
PRESERVING PEARS
Pears lend themselves well to canning, freezing, drying, and making wonderful butters. When freezing it is best to use pears that are partially ripened and still firm.
SPICED GINGER PEAR BUTTER
Spiced Ginger Pear Butter is a wonderful spread to have around. Much like apple butter it can be used as a spread on biscuits or toast, a filling for a tart or an accompaniment for savory meat dishes. I also like to use it with chicken or turkey on sandwiches for a gourmet twist. No matter how you choose to spread it, the spiced ginger flavor is sure to be a favorite.
- 5 cups pears, peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp chopped candied ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken into 1 inch pieces
- 4 whole cloves
- sugar
- Place sliced pears and 1 cup water into non reactive medium sized pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until pears have softened.
- With stick blender, (or food processors) blend pears until smooth.
- Measure puree and return to pan.
- For each cup of puree add 1¼ cups sugar.
- Place cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a spice bag or tied into cheesecloth and add to puree mixture.
- Return mixture to boil, reduce heat and simmer until mixture is thickened, stirring as needed to prevent sticking. (this may take 1-2 hours)
- Once thickened, remove spice bag.
- Ladle into hot sterilized jars and process for 10 minutes.
- Makes about 3 cups.
Recipe adapted from The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving: Over 300 Recipes to Use Year-Round
SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED
- Water Bath Canner
- Pint Jars with Lids and Bands
- Utensil Set
– Not absolutely necessary, but makes the job of canning a whole lot easier.
The following recipe is processed using a water bath canning process. If you have never canned before or need a refresher the National Center for Home Food Preservation is the gold standard of information. I would encourage you to head over and read their general canning information.
Resources: The Splendid Table: When to Buy Pears
Spiced Ginger Pear Butter shared with:
*Back to the Basics: Tuesdays with a Twist *The Ultimate Linky: Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop *Creative K Kids: Tasty Tuesdays *Savvy Southerner: Wow Us Wednesday’s *My Paper Craze: Creative Spark *Organic For Green Livings: Real Food Fridays *Jordon’s Onion: Thank Goodness it’s Thursday * The Pin Junkie: Pin Junkie Pin Party * Juggling Real Food and Real Life: Let’s Get Real *Feathers in the Woods: Green Thumb Thursday *Weekend Wind-Down *In the Kitchen with Jenny: Foodie Friends Friday *Natasha in Oz: Say G’day *Raia’s Recipes: Savoring Saturday’s *Our Rosey Life: Share it Sunday *Pebbles and Piggytails: Saturday Dishes *The Ultimate Linky: Bloggers Brags *Plucky’s Second Thoughts * My Pinterest Adventures: Merry Monday Link Party * Mrs. AOK: Mommy Monday *Yesterfood: Treasure Box Tuesday *April J Harris: Hearth and Soul Blog Hop *Lou Lou Girls: Lou Lou Girls
Disclosure of Material *Simply Sweets: Party in Your PJ’sConnection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Great information! Thank you for sharing. Pinned. Lou Lou Girls
Lou Lou Girls recently posted…Cookie Dough Butterfinger Cheesecake
Thanks friend. Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Shari
Good morning, Shari,
I was just at the farmer’s market yesterday but it looks like I’m going back for some pears this weekend. This looks divine and sounds delicious. You are always coming up with such fabulous creations! Thanks for a great recipe. 🙂
Thanks Robyn. Our farmers market is almost done for the year. I will be sad to see it go. I appreciate the kind words.
Blessings,
Shari
Thanks for the pear buying tips and sharing at Savoring Saturdays, Shari! 🙂
Raia recently posted…Easiest Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes
My pleasure Raia. I am glad you enjoyed them.
Blessings,
Shari
I have suddenly found myself in need of some fresh pears to make that Pear Butter! Already pinned it! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday!
Shirley Wood recently posted…G+ Growing Circles Hop #35
Thank you! I do hope you enjoy it.
Blessings,
Shari
Hi Shari,
Just a note to let you know that I choose your post as one of features for this weeks Real Food Friday blog hop that goes live tonight @ 7pm EST. Thanks for being part of Real Food Fridays and sharing with us.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #55 – Close To Nature
Thank you Marla. I feel honored. Love your party and I wouldn’t miss it. Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Shari
Oh my gosh Shari to be in your kitchen for just one day I feel as though I would learn more than I would in a lifetime in my own kitchen. Your pear butter looks delicious! Thanks for linking up hope you link up again this week at Creative Spark Link Party http://bit.ly/1lVogBN
Michelle from Weekend Craft recently posted…Creative Spark Link Party #19
You are so sweet, thank you Michelle. Always a pleasure coming to your party.
Blessings,
Shari
Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party.
Monique recently posted…Bloggers Brags Weekly Pinterest Party – Week 44
Always a pleasure!
This sounds so delicious. Honestly, I never buy pears because I am never sure how they should taste and the consistency. So, thank you for listing that information. I’ll definitely be pinning this!
Tricia the Good Mama recently posted…What to Expect at Your First Blog Conference
Once I learned that pears ripen from the inside out it made all the difference. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Blessings,
Shari
What a great way to spice up your morning toast! YUM!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week! Don’t forget to enter to win a $25 Starbucks giftcard! 🙂
Jess recently posted…Link Up #50 and a Giveaway
It is yummy! Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to comment.
Blessings,
Shari
This looks really good!
Never heard of a pear butter, seems really tasty!
Michal recently posted…Chocolate heart sopnge cake
Thanks Michal. So many great ways to use it too.
Blessings,
Shari
This pear butter sounds amazing!! And I really appreciate the tip on how to tell if the pear is ripe… I always have a hard time with them and usually they go bad before I get a chance to enjoy them. Thank you for linking up to Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays! I’ll be pinning this on my personal sauces board as well as the Tasty Tuesdays Pinterest Board
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal recently posted…Friday Pie Day With A Little Bacon
It is funny how pears do the opposite of what most other fruits do by ripening from the inside out. I think once I learned this the pear began to make sense for me. Thanks for coming by and have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Shari
I love the combination of ginger and pear. It’s sweet and warm and has just the right amount of bite to it. I’m allll over this butter!
Shaina recently posted…Friday Features: Books I’m Reading
You hit it perfectly Shaina. I couldn’t have said it any better. Thanks for taking a moment to stop by and share.
Blessings,
Shari
I love pears and this is a very unique recipe. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays blog hop. Have a healthy happy weekend! Will pin & twitt.
Thanks Marla. Love your party and the great inspiration I find there. Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Shari
This pear butter would be perfect for the fall. I can’t smell it already! Mmm. Stopping by from #FoodieFridays 🙂
Krystle Cook recently posted…Things to Do Labor Day Weekend
Thanks Krystle. It really is yummy and a great taste of fall.
Blessings,
Shari
This just sounds and looks like it tastes of FALL! Pinning!
Ronda Chesser Porter recently posted…Slow Cooker Shredded Pork Tacos
Thanks Rhonda. I am looking forward to enjoying this pear butter on a roasted turkey sandwich with all the fixings and a bit of Gouda cheese. What time can I expect you? Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Shari
This looks so delish!! Wow, it would go great with so many things 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Bobbi recently posted…Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies
Thanks Bobbi, it really is a very fun butter to use. I appreciate you stopping by and taking a moment to share.
Blessings,
Shari
Was expecting to see this to look like butter, but pleasantly surprised!
Agy recently posted…4 Ways to go Green for Mid Autumn Festival
I’m glad you liked it. It’s always great to be pleasantly surprised! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
love this recipe, can’t wait to make my own spiced pear butter! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kristina and Millie recently posted…Paint Your Pot
Thanks Girls. Always a pleasure.
Blessings,
Shari
So happy to Stumble, tweet, and Pin these YUMMY pears.
I will share more later too.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Diane Roark recently posted…Cheesy Chicken Appetizers for Football Season
Thanks Diane. I can always count on you. Have a great week.
Blessings,
Shari
Shari,
Great information about pears. I have never had spiced pear butter, but I would LOVE it. I really enjoy pears and everything they are in. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
A perfectly ripe pear is the best! I love figuring out ways to keep the delicious taste so I can enjoy it year round. This recipe is a fun one. Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
This sound amazing. My husband is a big fan of apple butter, and I think he would love this too.
Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne
Simply Suzannes at Home recently posted…brown butter brown sugar cookies
Thanks Suzanne. I enjoy apple butter too. Pear butter is a little lighter and smoother than apple butter. kind of a cross between butter and jelly. Love it!
Blessings,
Shari
Oh, our gourmet preserver has done it again! Shari, you are amazing and I want to come taste test at your house. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
You make me smile 🙂 Thanks Carrie.
Blessings,
Shari
I never would have thought to make Pear Butter (usually apple butter), but this sounds so yummy and definitely think I might need to try for Emma, especially who just loves all things fruit! Thanks Shari and have pinned, as well as shared, too 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…Great Pin Scheduling Caper
Thank you for sharing Janine. Peanut butter and pear butter sandwiches for Emma would be perfect for Kindergarten. Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Shari