Picked pears. Now what?

[Robb]

Last edited Sat Sep 8, 2012, 03:56 PM - Edit history (1)

So this year my apple tree took a break from giving fruit this year -- which was a good thing, because the peaches and pears went nuts.

From my two small pear trees I've brought in about 30 pounds of fruit. I know I'm meant to store them at 30F for a few days, but I didn't have a spare freezer (mine lives at 0°F) so I've put them in the bottom of a 38°F fridge for about a week. Is this going to do whatever it is the cold storage part is meant to do?

I want to eat some, and intend to juice the rest for a lovely perry. How much longer do I need to keep these guys in the fridge before I take them out to ripen? And does anyone have any tips for ripening a whole lotta pears?

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Pears are tricky - they actually need to be picked green, then slowly ripened on the shelf.

Once ripe, into the fridge - but they don't last long.

Our favorite use is as an ingredient on salads that include craisins, toasted nuts, sliced turkey.

beyond that - pears are a great snack any time!

good luck...wish I had your "issue"! no fruit trees here (just local fruits/nuts - don't know which my wife and I are!)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. use apples to ripen the pears

I just made pear sauce a few days ago, and planned to make pear butter with it, but everybody ate it. so I bought more pears yesterday to make more.
put apples in a single layer, then pile the pears on top. the gasses from the apples will ripen the pears faster. I do this in the garage where its about 70-75 degrees. won't take but a few days.

[idahoblue]

3. I have a very prolific pear tree

I give the tree a shake every day, take what falls off, chunk and freeze what we cannot eat fresh. I have enough to last all winter for making smoothies. I chunk, freeze on a tray, then scoop into a baggie.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. At first, I thought that said "pickled" pears.

Which is a great idea too. I will agree with the suggestion of using apples to ripen pears, or any fruit. Fruit produces the gas ethylene that causes the ripening...and apples produce a lot of it. If you want all the pears to ripen at once, use the method suggested above. If you want to ripen just a few at a time, just put them in a bowl with an apple and that should do it. Easy peasy.

[HopeHoops]

5. Sounds like time to pull out the canner!!!

[ginnyinWI]

6. my dad used to wrap them in newspaper

I'd say the thing to do is pick them somewhat green then wrap them in paper--tissue, wrapping, news--whatever. Put them into a box or basket and let them turn yellow. Then use.

I just made a pear pandowdy--like an apple pie except no bottom crust, and pears rather than apples. Very interesting and good.